Talks on U.S.-Canada trade involving metals collapse after last-minute pressure from U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, according to people familiar with the matter. Following the breakdown, President Donald Trump moves to impose new tariffs, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will retaliate.
Both outlets tie the collapse to Lutnick’s intervention but describe different reactions to his role. Bloomberg reports that the intervention comes amid pressure in the final stages of negotiations, positioning Lutnick as a factor behind the talks failing. The Japan Times characterizes Lutnick as a champion for U.S. metal producers, while noting that Canadian officials and other stakeholders criticize him for shifting the terms during the process. The dispute is therefore framed both as advocacy for U.S. industry and as a disruption to Canadian negotiating positions.
