Prime Minister Mark Carney Refutes Claims of Seeking China Free Trade Agreement Amid Tariff Concerns
‘The Big Money Show’ panel discusses Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s AI policy as Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei issues a warning about selling chips to China.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has made it clear that his government is not pursuing a free trade agreement with China. This statement comes in the wake of escalating tensions with the United States, particularly with President Donald Trump, who has threatened a 100% tariff on Canadian goods if Canada continues its trade negotiations with Beijing.
Carney emphasized that the ongoing discussions are primarily focused on reducing tariffs rather than establishing a broader trade agreement. “We have no intention of doing that with China or any other non-market economy,” he stated, referring to the nature of the trade deal. “What we have done with China is to rectify some issues that developed in the last couple of years.”
Despite Carney’s reassurances, Trump expressed skepticism over the weekend, taking to social media to claim that China is “taking over” Canada. His comments reflect a growing concern about China’s influence in North America.
President Donald Trump greets Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney. (Evan Vucci – Pool / Getty Images / Getty Images)
Trump’s remarks included a lament that “China is successfully and completely taking over the once Great Country of Canada,” expressing hope that they would not interfere with the beloved sport of ice hockey.
In response to these tensions, Carney has reiterated that existing trade agreements with the U.S. and Mexico prevent any of the three countries from entering into a trade agreement with a non-market economy without prior notification. This framework aims to maintain a balanced trade environment among the North American partners.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized Carney’s approach during an appearance on ABC News’ “This Week,” arguing that Carney’s openness toward China could lead to an influx of cheap goods into the U.S. market.
Scott Bessent speaks during a press conference outside the USA House at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on January 19, 2026. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Bessent further remarked, “We have a (United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement), but based off – based on that, which is going to be renegotiated this summer, and I’m not sure what Prime Minister Carney is doing here, other than trying to virtue-signal to his globalist friends at Davos.”
Carney has taken on a leadership role among Western allies who feel threatened by Trump’s administration. During his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, he called for “middle powers” to unite. “Middle powers must act together because if you are not at the table, you are on the menu,” he asserted, with Trump present in the audience.
Ret. U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery analyzes Donald Trump’s push to end the Russia-Ukraine war and his decision to withdraw Canada’s invitation to the ‘Board of Peace’ and Canada’s deepening trade ties with China on ‘The Bottom Line.’
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
‘The Big Money Show’ panel discusses Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s AI policy as Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei issues a warning about selling chips to China.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has made it clear that his government is not pursuing a free trade agreement with China. This statement comes in the wake of escalating tensions with the United States, particularly with President Donald Trump, who has threatened a 100% tariff on Canadian goods if Canada continues its trade negotiations with Beijing.
Carney emphasized that the ongoing discussions are primarily focused on reducing tariffs rather than establishing a broader trade agreement. “We have no intention of doing that with China or any other non-market economy,” he stated, referring to the nature of the trade deal. “What we have done with China is to rectify some issues that developed in the last couple of years.”
Despite Carney’s reassurances, Trump expressed skepticism over the weekend, taking to social media to claim that China is “taking over” Canada. His comments reflect a growing concern about China’s influence in North America.
President Donald Trump greets Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney. (Evan Vucci – Pool / Getty Images / Getty Images)
Trump’s remarks included a lament that “China is successfully and completely taking over the once Great Country of Canada,” expressing hope that they would not interfere with the beloved sport of ice hockey.
In response to these tensions, Carney has reiterated that existing trade agreements with the U.S. and Mexico prevent any of the three countries from entering into a trade agreement with a non-market economy without prior notification. This framework aims to maintain a balanced trade environment among the North American partners.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized Carney’s approach during an appearance on ABC News’ “This Week,” arguing that Carney’s openness toward China could lead to an influx of cheap goods into the U.S. market.
Scott Bessent speaks during a press conference outside the USA House at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on January 19, 2026. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Bessent further remarked, “We have a (United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement), but based off – based on that, which is going to be renegotiated this summer, and I’m not sure what Prime Minister Carney is doing here, other than trying to virtue-signal to his globalist friends at Davos.”
Carney has taken on a leadership role among Western allies who feel threatened by Trump’s administration. During his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, he called for “middle powers” to unite. “Middle powers must act together because if you are not at the table, you are on the menu,” he asserted, with Trump present in the audience.
Ret. U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery analyzes Donald Trump’s push to end the Russia-Ukraine war and his decision to withdraw Canada’s invitation to the ‘Board of Peace’ and Canada’s deepening trade ties with China on ‘The Bottom Line.’
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
