Canada Conservatives demand transparency over failed U.S. trade deal

The Conservative Party of Canada is demanding that the federal government release the full details of a proposed trade deal with the United States that collapsed on Friday. Shuvaloy Majumdar, the party’s critic for Canada-U.S. relations, wrote to Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc requesting the release of any draft text seen by both governments, arguing that Canadians deserve transparency regarding the negotiations.

Negotiators, led by Mark Carney, withdrew from the talks after stating the U.S. administration ‘asked too much and offered too little.’ While specific terms remain limited, reported sticking points included auto tariffs, restrictions on Canada’s ability to strike future free trade deals, and provisions targeting Quebec culture and the French language.

Sources indicated discussions had involved potential reductions in steel and aluminum duties to 25 per cent and auto tariffs to 15 per cent. The suspension of talks also halts plans to return U.S. alcohol to Canadian store shelves, a priority for President Donald Trump.