Canada’s chief U.S. trade negotiator says American officials have mischaracterized why last week’s talks to salvage a trade pact collapsed, disputing claims that Canada filed last-minute demands on autos and that U.S. negotiators refused to engage with French-language rules.
Janice Charette, who leads Canada’s negotiating efforts with Washington, said the explanation from the other side does not align with what Canada presented or with the broader context of the talks. The remarks come as Ottawa faces questions about the state of the negotiations after what Canada described as a “breakdown” in discussions with U.S. counterparts.
The dispute over autos and language provisions has been a focal point in the public dispute, but Charette did not align with the characterization that Canada pressed new car-related demands at the final stages. She also pushed back on suggestions that French-language discoverability provisions were a sticking point for U.S. negotiators.
While the specifics of the talks remain sensitive, Canada’s chief negotiator underscored that efforts to resolve the impasse continue within the framework of ongoing discussions. She did not indicate an imminent resumption date but signaled that Ottawa remains engaged and prepared to revisit avenues that could lead to an agreement.
The exchange highlights how competing narratives emerged after the breakdown, with Canada urging careful judgment about what transpired and what the next steps might look like. No party has publicly released a comprehensive recap of the negotiations, and officials have emphasized that both sides remain capable of continuing dialogue if conditions are right.
