The United States is not pressing to complete a trade agreement with Canada, according to Washington's top trade envoy.
The Globe and Mail reports that the U.S. trade representative indicated his country is in no rush to reach a deal. In remarks reported by CBC, CTV News and Global News, the envoy described the U.S. as comfortable with where the relationship with Canada currently stands.
Reuters, citing the Office of the United States Trade Representative, reported that the envoy sees no urgency to settle the matter as the trade dispute between the two countries deepens.
The comments point to a pause in negotiations rather than active movement toward an agreement. According to the reporting, the U.S. side is content to leave the talks where they are for now.
Canada and the United States are major trading partners, which makes the status of their negotiations closely watched on both sides of the border. The envoy's remarks suggest the current impasse could persist without pressure from Washington to resolve it quickly.
The reporting does not indicate any new deadlines, proposals or concessions from either government.
What to watch next: whether Ottawa responds to the envoy's comments and whether either side signals a return to the negotiating table.
