OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney is warning that Canada will not rush back into trade negotiations with the United States, saying Washington must adopt a more serious approach before talks can resume.

Carney said Tuesday that Canada remains open to a mutually beneficial agreement, but the conditions that led Ottawa to walk away from negotiations on August 21 have not changed.

The prime minister criticized the tone of recent U.S. statements and argued that some proposed trade terms would have placed key Canadian industries at a competitive disadvantage.

The automotive sector has become one of the major points of disagreement. Carney said Canada could not accept an arrangement that effectively reduced important Canadian industries to subsidiaries of U.S. companies.

The dispute comes after Washington imposed 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion of Canadian exports, prompting Ottawa to prepare retaliatory measures scheduled to take effect September 8.

Carney’s tougher position has also gained political momentum after the Liberals swept three federal by-elections on Monday, although the government faces continued pressure over the potential economic impact of a prolonged trade confrontation.

Carney’s latest comments signal that Ottawa is prepared to endure further economic pressure rather than accept trade terms it considers damaging to Canadian industries or sovereignty.