US-Canada trade talks collapsed after 11th-hour tariff push
Why it matters: The breakdown cleared the way for new US tariffs and prompted Prime Minister Mark Carney to vow retaliation.
US-Canada trade talks broke down after a last-minute push inside the Trump administration to harden the US position, leaving President Donald Trump to move ahead with new tariffs and pushing Canada closer to a broader trade fight. People familiar with the talks told The Straits Times that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick opposed a framework he viewed as too favorable to Canada and backed US metals producers seeking tougher terms. A White House official disputed that account and said the talks fell apart after Canada made late demands beyond the agreed scope. A Canadian official said Lutnick was a major contributor but not the sole cause, citing deeper disputes over US objectives in the final days.