OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney says U.S. negotiators held an attitude during trade talks that would have made core Canadian industries — including the automotive sector — either become subsidiaries of their American counterparts or be “wiped out.”

Carney made the comments during a media scrum on his way into his office today after the Liberals won three byelections Monday.

He says there were “mutually beneficial” elements of a deal in place before talks broke down last month.

The prime minister maintains the U.S. side asked for too many concessions that would undermine the auto sector and affect Canadian sovereignty by restricting access to other trade deals.

Carney says Canada is willing to get back to the table when “the Americans stop doing memes” and are ready to have a serious discussion.

Canada’s counter-tariffs on nearly $28 billion worth of U.S. products are scheduled to take effect on Sept. 8.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 1, 2026.

David Baxter, The Canadian Press