Canada is ready to begin trade talks with the United States when Washington is ready, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said, quoted by "Reuters".
According to him, Ottawa cannot control trade policy with its neighbor to the south.
Yesterday, US President Donald Trump declared that trade talks with Canada were over after a political advertisement in Ontario quoted Republican icon Ronald Reagan as saying that tariffs lead to trade wars and economic catastrophes.
"My colleagues are working with their American colleagues on detailed constructive negotiations and discussions on specific sectors - steel, aluminum and energy," Carney said before leaving Ottawa for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for his first official visit to Asia.
"We stand ready to capitalize on this progress," he assured.
Carney added that Canada could oversee new partnerships and opportunities, including with "the economic giants of Asia" - the focus of his trip.