By Trendsetter Tribune 
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday that his recent criticism of U.S. trade policy could backfire as Washington prepares to review the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Speaking on CNBC, Bessent cautioned Carney against escalating tensions for political gain, saying public attacks ahead of the trade review risk undermining Canada’s position. He also took a swipe at Carney’s background as a former central banker, suggesting technocrats often struggle when pivoting into politics.
The comments follow Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he criticized economic coercion by major powers — remarks widely interpreted as aimed at the United States. President Donald Trump later threatened a 100% tariff on Canadian imports, citing Carney’s outreach to Beijing.
While Trump and Carney spoke earlier this week, both sides offered differing accounts of the conversation. Bessent said Carney walked back his Davos remarks, while Carney insisted he stood by them.
Trump has recently downplayed the importance of USMCA, saying he “doesn’t really care about it,” though Bessent struck a more conciliatory tone, predicting the dispute would ultimately end “in a good place.”