Canada, U.S. remain in contact despite trade talks breakdown: LeBlanc

Canada and the United States remain in contact despite the breakdown in formal trade talks, Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc has confirmed.

Speaking to reporters in Banff, Alberta, LeBlanc said that while Canada is not currently engaged in formal trade negotiations with Washington, communication between the two countries continues.

LeBlanc said he does not have any meetings scheduled in Washington at the moment, but has spoken several times by phone with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

He reiterated that Canada is ready to return to the negotiating table, but said the Trump administration must respect Canada’s dignity and sovereignty.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has also made a similar position clear. Asked Thursday whether U.S. President Donald Trump was angry following the collapse of the talks, Carney said he could not know what was in Trump’s mind, adding that the issue was not about emotions but about Canada’s sovereignty.