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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to reporters before entering the Prime Minister's Office in Ottawa on the 1st local time. / AP, Yonhap

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that while the possibility of resuming trade negotiations with the U.S. remains open, discussions cannot restart while officials in the Donald Trump administration publicly insult Canada.

According to Bloomberg News, Carney met with reporters in Ottawa on the 1st local time and was questioned regarding President Trump's push to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America," alongside derogatory remarks made by U.S. officials targeting Canada's military and economy.

In response, he stated, "There's always been a positive opportunity for a trade negotiation with the U.S. that respects Canadian sovereignty and is mutually beneficial," adding, "When the Americans stop doing memes, stop throwing shade, stop trying to be tough, and start being serious about having those discussions, we can have those discussions."

Regarding remarks by U.S. administration officials that appeared to mock the Canadian Armed Forces, he criticized them as being "beneath their office."

On the 31st of last month, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a photo of two women in uniform participating in Canada's youth cadet program, accompanied by a mocking message.

On the same day, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, responding to claims of an ongoing "trade war" with Canada, quipped, "What, are they going to take their two submarines from the Edmonton Mall and sic them on us?"

This was a reference to a former tourist attraction featuring real submarine rides once located at the West Edmonton Mall in Alberta, Canada.

Carney explained that the collapse of negotiations with the U.S. resulted from a buildup of multiple contentious issues, including tariffs affecting vital sectors such as auto manufacturing.

"The attitude of the United States in these discussions has been one where Canadian industries either would be subsidiaries, effectively, of United States industries, or would put in place terms where those industries would be gradually wound down in Canada," he said, emphasizing, "Of course we're not going to accept those terms."

He added, "The U.S. auto industry is stronger with the Canadian and Mexican auto industries alongside it," stressing that "at a time of great transformation in the auto industry, it is essential that we collaborate."

                                                                                                             Kim Hyun-min