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Carney hopes trade war with US will make Canada stronger and more resilient
Ottawa plans long-term airport concessions that could raise tens of billions as Carney says Canada can wait for a better trade deal.
On Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will wait for the right conditions to resolve its trade war with the United States, prioritizing long-term economic independence over rushing into a deal with Washington.
Trade talks collapsed last month before Washington imposed 50% tariffs on about $20 billion in Canadian goods, prompting retaliation from Ottawa and additional restrictions on Canadian products.
Ottawa will seek private investment through long-term concessions to operate Canada's four largest airports while retaining public ownership of land and assets, potentially raising tens of billions for infrastructure.
Despite high political tensions, Carney noted that about 80% of trade with the United States remains tariff-free; he cautioned that "nostalgia is not a strategy" for restoring historical trade norms.
Carney recounted a blunt exchange where President Donald Trump suggested "maybe they'll shoot you" regarding United States access, illustrating the volatile diplomatic environment Canadian officials navigate during this trade dispute.