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Mark Carney says Canada will not accept US deal weakening French language
Canada walked away from US trade talks after tariffs began on about 5% of exports to the US, and it plans retaliation in early September.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada cannot accept a proposed US-Canada trade deal that would weaken French language protections, arguing that Quebec’s language rights are protected rather than negotiable “irritants.”
Carney’s comments came after President Donald Trump signaled he was not prepared to de escalate the dispute, posting that Canada has been “ripping off” the US for years and warning of new tariffs on cars and trucks.
Canada instructed its negotiators to walk away from talks last week. Tariffs on an array of Canadian products took effect over the weekend, affecting about 5% of Canada’s exports to the US, and Canada said it will retaliate in early September.
The dispute also reflects long-running tensions over Quebec’s language rules, including Bill 96, which requires French descriptions for products sold in Quebec and French translations for certain trademarks using generic terms, and Bill 109, which compels further measures related to language protections.