Canada-US Trade Negotiations Enter 'More Intensive' Phase as Key Differences Narrow, Carney Says

06:17 AM EST, 11/04/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Canada-US trade negotiations have entered a "more intensive" phase, with Prime Minister Mark Carney late Tuesday pointing to progress toward a potential agreement. The US withdrew several demands that had previously been unacceptable to Canada, including those related to language, culture, sovereignty and its freedom to pursue trade agreements with other countries, Carney told reporters in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda in comments broadcast on CBC Watcher's X account. These matters have now been removed from the negotiating agenda, the Canadian prime minister added. "We've made progress, but we haven't finished," Carney said. "They're asking less and they're offering more, but we're not quite there." On Sunday, Trump said the two countries had "the concept of a very good deal" following his Saturday conversation with Carney. In August, Canada walked away from trade negotiations over last-minute US demands it viewed as threats to its sovereignty, French-language protections and key industries, such as auto. Trump subsequently imposed 50% tariffs on about $20 billion in Canadian goods, prompting retaliatory measures.