Speaking to reporters in Hamilton, Carney pointed out that U.S. trade deals with other counties are going to involve very high tariffs, but he declined to say what, if any, tariff level would be acceptable for Canada as part of a deal.

The Canadian prime minister said it may not be possible to escape U.S. tariffs even with a bilateral agreement to resolve the current tariff row.

Trump wrote to Carney to inform him that, from August 1, Canada will face a 35 percent import tariff after the two sides failed to reach a deal during the recent pause. The American leader said he would consider revising the 35 percent tariff "if Canada works with me to stop the flow of Fentanyl".