The lesson from Canada’s collapsed trade talks with the US: negotiation may be futile
Breakdown shows Washington now prioritises its own interests over any semblance of shared economic ground ‘No more!!!’: Trump lashes out after US-Canada talks devolve into trade war The calamitous collapse of trade negotiations between Canada and the United States is a warning to nations worldwide that pursuing any kind of dialogue with the current US administration is doomed at the outset, according to observers who say this recent episode indicates seeking a fair deal is futile. Andrea Lawlor, an associate professor of political science at McMaster University in Ontario, said: “No matter the closeness of the historical relationship, the American administration has signalled that it now prioritises its interests above those of some sort of global economic coordination or harmony. “It feels like these talks ‘failed’. A defiant Mark Carney said on Saturday that he had rejected the deal because of last-minute US demands that would have undermined Canada’s sovereignty . The breakdown of talks came as a shock.
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However, I’m not sure there was really a success to be had.” The two countries are now in a deepening trade war after weeks of urgent talks fell apart shortly before the 12am EST (5am BST) deadline on Saturday, when the US imposed 50% tariffs on $20bn (£14.6bn) worth of Canadian goods.
