Canada Ready to Negotiate US Trade Deal at Any Time, Even Under Future Administration, Carney Says

07:21 AM EDT, 10/23/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Canada is prepared to reach a trade agreement with the US at any time, whether immediately, in the coming months or under a future US administration, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday. Speaking at a press conference in Istanbul early Friday, Carney said Canada remains engaged with US President Donald Trump's administration and is willing to negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement in good faith. The press conference was broadcast on CPAC's YouTube channel. "We are ready to drop everything, sit down and negotiate [a trade deal] if the Americans are ready in good faith," Carney told reporters in Istanbul. "If it has to be months from now or longer than that or another [US] administration before a proper deal comes into place, we will do that," added the Canadian prime minister. Asked by reporters if a deal could be reached before the US midterm elections in early November, Carney said that "it's up to the United States." Trade talks between the two countries broke down in August after both sides accused each other of making unacceptable last-minute demands. The US subsequently imposed tariffs on selected Canadian goods, prompting Ottawa to retaliate. President Trump later imposed restrictions on certain Canadian alcoholic beverages, dairy products and other imports. Amid the ongoing trade tensions, Carney is seeking to diversify Canada's international trade relationships to reduce its reliance on the US market. His three-day visit to Turkey forms part of that broader strategy. "We are succeeding in that," said Carney on Friday, indicating the Turkish trip as part of the efforts to establish new trading relationships. On Thursday, Canada and Turkey launched a partnership aimed at strengthening cooperation in trade, energy and defense, while exploring the possibility of a bilateral free trade agreement.