Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Ottawa would leave the timing of a possible U.S. trade deal to Washington, while rejecting allegations of Canadian interference in U.S. elections.
Carney said negotiations should produce terms that served both sides, but Ottawa would not let political pressure dictate a quick timetable. He said Canada could sign an agreement that afternoon if Washington was ready. Asked when a deal might be reached, he said the decision rested with the United States, which he described as “a little hard to predict.”
Carney told reporters the claims had no merit and said Canada did not intend to interfere in U.S. democratic processes. He said the department urged officials to handle their contacts carefully so they would not give rise to further allegations.
The prime minister also said Canada would never become the United States’ “51st state.” Carney said Canada was preparing to improve its economy and build more international ties, which he argued would strengthen its partnership with Washington. He said the U.S. president knew where he, the Canadian government and Canadians stood on statehood.
Anadolu Agency reported that the remarks came amid tensions between the neighbors over political relations and trade. The Canadian Press previously reported that Ottawa told diplomats to avoid meetings with U.S. midterm candidates, a directive covered in EconoTimes’ earlier report on the guidance.
U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra said in an earlier interview that Washington would respond if Canadian activity amounted to interference, but did not specify what action it might take, as described in EconoTimes’ report on the embassy’s concerns.
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) lists Nov. 3, 2026, as the next regularly scheduled federal general election.
