Sources say US commerce secretary Lutnick's last‑minute pressure collapsed
US‑Canada trade talks, prompting President Trump to announce new tariffs on
Canadian goods and Canadian prime minister Carney to vow retaliation. Insiders
say Lutnick viewed the draft framework as too lenient toward Canada and acted on
behalf of US metals producers seeking to claw back concessions; some Canadian
officials accused him of shifting negotiating aims, while some business leaders
credited him with blocking what they saw as a threat to US metals. A White House
official denied Lutnick caused the breakdown, saying talks stalled after Canada
made last‑minute, out‑of‑scope demands. Lutnick's intervention deepened his role
in the talks and reinforced his reputation inside the administration as a
disruptor pressing for tougher trade leverage.
