US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday that “seeking confrontation” was not a good idea at the dawn of the renegotiation of the Canada-United States-Mexico free trade agreement.
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In an interview with the American media CNBC, Donald Trump’s close advisor returned to his statements at the start of the week that Mr. Carney had backed down on certain comments he said in Davos, during a call with the American president.
The Canadian Prime Minister has refuted these claims in recent days.
“I was present during the call [avec Donald Trump]said Mr. Bessent. In my investment career, I’ve seen what happens when a technocrat tries to become a politician and it never works out very well.”
“I would encourage Mark Carney to do what he believes is best for Canadians, not promoting his own virtue,” he added. He came to power with an anti-American and anti-Trump message. This is not a good way to negotiate with an economy that is much bigger than yours.”
Meetings have already started between representatives of the two countries regarding the free trade agreement.
“I would say that [si j’étais lui] I would not seek confrontation while we reopen the CUSMA to score easy political points,” he said during his interview with the American media.
The Canadian Prime Minister also met with the premiers of the provinces on Thursday to repeat, among other things, his intention to build a more independent Canadian economy.
