Canada-U.S. trade talks collapse over demands threatening key industries

Prime Minister Mark Carney walked away from Canada-U.S. trade talks Friday, citing American demands that would "destroy" Canadian auto, steel and aluminum industries. The collapse followed last-minute changes to the proposed deal. U.S. negotiators initially agreed to reduce auto tariffs from 25 to 15 per cent but then excluded pickup trucks, threatening 20,000 Ontario jobs. Washington also sought to restrict Canada's trade deals with other countries and impose sectoral tariffs on steel and aluminum. Canada was willing to drop retaliatory tariffs and adjust dairy import licenses, but Carney refused sovereignty-limiting terms. Polling shows 76 per cent of Canadians support his decision to walk away.