Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney is facing mounting pressure as tensions escalate in trade negotiations with the United States. After promising a tough stance against President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies, Carney is now being accused by critics of backing down without securing meaningful gains.
The latest flashpoint came this week, when Trump announced a potential 35% tariff on Canadian goods starting August 1. The threat comes as both nations enter the final stages of trade talks, with an earlier deadline of July 21 now pushed to next month. Trump has also sent similar tariff threats to over 20 other countries, suggesting a broad push to reassert US trade dominance.
Carney, elected in April on a platform of defending Canadian interests with “elbows up,” is now being questioned for a series of concessions. In late June, Canada abandoned its planned Digital Services Tax after Trump threatened to walk away from talks. While the White House claimed Canada “caved,” Carney insisted negotiations remain ongoing and that Canada is defending its workers and businesses.
Critics, including Canadian columnist Robyn Urback, say Carney’s approach is increasingly inconsistent. “Maybe Prime Minister Mark Carney’s elbows were getting tired,” she quipped. Meanwhile, academic Blayne Haggart criticized Carney’s broader US strategy as incoherent, arguing that concessions like scrapping the DST have achieved “less than nothing.”
Still, others urge patience. Roland Paris, a former adviser on Canada-US relations, noted that the final outcome of the deal will determine whether Carney’s tactics were effective. “If we’re left with a bad deal, he will pay a political price at home,” Paris warned.
Despite the uncertainty, Carney has pushed forward with moves to reduce Canada’s dependency on the US, including an arms deal with the EU and efforts to remove domestic trade barriers.
With support from across Canada’s political spectrum, including Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, Carney may have some political breathing room. But with Trump’s threats mounting and August fast approaching, Carney must deliver a deal that proves his elbows are still up.
