Canada not in position yet to sign US trade deal: Carney

Canada is not in a position yet to finalize a trade agreement with the United States, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday, reported Xinhua, quoting local media.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a Liberal caucus meeting, Carney emphasized that Ottawa is looking for "the right deal for Canadians."

There are "deals that are in the best interests of Canada, first and foremost, but also are in the interests of the United States," Carney said. "If those deals present themselves, we will pursue them. But we're not at that position right now."

According to the reports, with Canada-U.S. trade tensions emerging as a key issue ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, questions have mounted this week over whether a deal could be reached before the Nov. 3 vote.

Recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump claiming rapid progress toward an agreement have drawn close scrutiny in Ottawa.