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U.S. Commerce Secretary Slams Canada's Trade Negotiation Strategy

4/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick criticized Canada's negotiation strategy during a conference on April 17, 2026.
He dismissed a former Canadian trade chief's suggestion of a slower negotiation process as "the worst strategy I ever heard."
Lutnick stated that U.S. President Donald Trump views the USMCA as a "bad deal" needing reconsideration.
He emphasized an unfair Canada-U.S. trade imbalance and claimed it "sucks off" the U.S. economy.

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Story summary

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick criticized Canada's negotiation strategy during a conference on April 17, 2026.
He dismissed a former Canadian trade chief's suggestion of a slower negotiation process as "the worst strategy I ever heard."
Lutnick stated that U.S. President Donald Trump views the USMCA as a "bad deal" needing reconsideration.
He emphasized an unfair Canada-U.S. trade imbalance and claimed it "sucks off" the U.S. economy.