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Washington says it feels no urgency to reach a new trade deal with Canada

The U.S. trade representative says the president is comfortable with the status quo as new restrictions loom.

The Canadian

World affairs

September 25, 2026

5 min read

A busy international commercial district at dusk

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says President Donald Trump is comfortable with the current state of the Canada-U.S. relationship and sees no urgency to conclude a new trade agreement. The comments underline the distance between the two governments after talks broke down last month.

The dispute is becoming more consequential for exporters. New American restrictions on Canadian goods are due to take effect, while threatened tariffs on autos, parts, and steel remain a major risk for tightly integrated North American supply chains.

Greer acknowledged that the United States still relies on Canadian oil, gas, potash, and agricultural trade. Ottawa, meanwhile, has accused Washington of negotiating in bad faith and pushing demands that intrude on Canadian sovereignty.

For Canadian businesses, the absence of urgency in Washington means prolonged uncertainty. Investment and hiring decisions now depend not only on tariff rates, but on whether companies believe the cross-border rules can remain predictable.

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