Conservatives attack Carney government after trade agreement meeting with the United States and Mexico

Both the Shadow Minister for Canada–U.S. Relations in the Conservative Party, Chouvaloi Majumdar, the Shadow Minister for International Trade, Stephanie Kusi, and the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eric Duncan, issued a joint statement criticizing the performance of Prime Minister Mark Carney's government following the trilateral meeting held on July 1 between Canada, the United States, and Mexico regarding the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

The Conservatives said the meeting, which involved Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and his American and Mexican counterparts, represents further evidence of what they described as the "failure of Carney's government" to make tangible progress on trade relations with the United States.

The statement pointed out that Mark Carney came to power promising to reach an agreement with the U.S. administration, but the government – according to the Conservatives – has not been able to achieve this goal after more than a year.

The statement added that the Prime Minister had previously announced his intention to reach an agreement within a short deadline and pledged during his election campaign that he was capable of managing the relationship with the U.S. administration efficiently, but these promises, according to the opposition, were not fulfilled, and negotiations continued without final results.

The Conservatives confirmed that the recent meeting did not result in the renewal of the CUSMA agreement or provide the long-term stability that Canadian businesses and workers need, considering that the ongoing uncertainty directly affects vital sectors including the steel, aluminum, automotive, and lumber industries.

The statement added that millions of Canadians whose jobs and businesses depend on trade with the United States need a clear and stable plan, not what the party described as "contradictory statements, repeated concessions, and media rhetoric that does not translate into reality."

In contrast, the Conservative Party said it proposed an alternative plan aimed at strengthening Canada’s negotiating position against U.S. tariffs and defending Canadian industries and jobs.

The statement explained that the plan includes negotiating a new tariff-free agreement for the automotive sector, along with measures that encourage the manufacturing and purchasing of Canadian products, contributing to job protection and enhancing the competitiveness of the Canadian economy.

The Conservatives concluded their statement by affirming that a Conservative government led by party leader Pierre Poilievre will adopt an approach aimed at strengthening the Canadian economy internally and enhancing Canada’s negotiating power in its trade relations with international partners.