Canada’s Mark Carney Tells Trump Administration to ‘Stop Trying to Be Tough’/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected proposed U.S. trade terms and urged the Trump administration to end its public attacks and negotiate seriously. Carney said Washington’s demands could destroy Canadian industries and restrict Canada’s ability to reach trade agreements with other countries.
Separately, Chevron confirmed plans to expand in Venezuela, a Gallup poll found record concern about U.S. government corruption, and Dan Driscoll announced his final day as Army secretary.
Quick Look
- Carney told the Trump administration to “stop doing memes, stop throwing shade and stop trying to be tough.”
- He said U.S.-Canada trade talks could resume if Washington approached them seriously.
- Carney argued that the proposed U.S. terms could eliminate Canadian industries.
- He said Washington also sought limits on Canada’s future trade agreements.
- Canadian labor leaders were warned not to expect relations to return to normal soon.
- Chevron confirmed that it will expand its Venezuelan operations.
- The announcement follows Trump’s plan to develop 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves.
- A Gallup poll found 89% of Americans believe government corruption is widespread.
- That figure increased 10 percentage points from 2025.
- Gallup said it was the highest level recorded during its 20-year trend.
- Outgoing Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said Wednesday would be his final day.
- Driscoll praised Trump, Pete Hegseth and the Army despite reports of internal tensions.
Deep Look
Carney rebukes Trump administration
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney sharply criticized the Trump administration during a renewed dispute over trade negotiations between the neighboring countries.
Carney urged American officials to “stop doing memes, stop throwing shade and stop trying to be tough.”
He said negotiations could resume if Washington demonstrated that it was serious about reaching an agreement rather than attacking Canada publicly.
The comments followed another series of criticisms from Trump administration officials as relations between the longtime allies continued to deteriorate.
Canadian leader rejects proposed US terms
Carney said the trade agreement sought by Washington would have undermined major Canadian industries.
Under the U.S. proposal, he argued, Canadian companies could have been reduced to subsidiaries of American corporations. Other industries could have faced conditions that would leave them “gradually wound down in Canada and wiped out.”
Carney said the Trump administration also sought restrictions on Canada’s ability to negotiate future agreements with other trading partners.
“We’re not going to — of course, we’re not going to accept those terms,” Carney said. “Canada is a sovereign state. We will strike free trade deals with the countries we wish to strike free trade deals.”
Canada prepares for “a new normal”
Carney has warned Canadian political and labor leaders that the country’s relationship with the United States may not return to its previous condition soon.
Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congresssaid Carney told labor representatives they could not expect bilateral relations to “go back to normal any time soon.”
He described the current relationship as “a new normal that we have to get adjusted to.”
The warning suggests Canada may accelerate efforts to diversify trade and reduce its economic dependence on the United States.
Chevron plans Venezuelan expansion
Chevron confirmed that it will expand its operations in Venezuela.
The announcement came days after Trump unveiled an ambitious agreement intended to develop 17 Venezuelan oil fields with the potential to hold 65 billion barrels of crude.
The arrangement would give the United States an ownership interest and rights to purchase oil at cost. Oil acquired through the project could be directed to the Pentagon and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
Many details remain undisclosed, including the identity of a private operator involved in the agreement, how the required infrastructure will be financed and how quickly production can increase.
Chevron is currently the only major American oil company actively producing in Venezuela.
Venezuela deal faces significant obstacles
Trump has promoted the oil agreement as a way to secure American energy supplies and eventually lower gasoline prices.
However, Venezuela’s oil infrastructure has deteriorated after years of insufficient maintenance and investment.
Substantially increasing production is expected to require billions of dollars and several years of work.
The deal was announced against the backdrop of high energy prices caused partly by the U.S.-Iran war and severe disruption to oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Gallup finds record concern about corruption
A Gallup survey released Wednesday found that 89% of Americans believe corruption is widespread throughout the U.S. government.
The result increased by 10 percentage points from the previous year.
Gallup said the latest figure was the highest recorded during the organization’s 20-year trend measuring public perceptions of government corruption.
The findings reflect a sharp decline in public trust during a period of political polarization, war and intense debate over executive power.
Driscoll announces final day as Army secretary
Dan Driscoll said Wednesday would be his final day as U.S. Army secretary.
He announced the departure date Tuesday night on X, one day after the White House confirmed his resignation.
An Army official previously said Driscoll submitted his resignation after discussing the state of the service with Trump.
The White House did not publicly explain why Driscoll was leaving after 18 months in office.
Outgoing secretary praises Trump and Hegseth
Despite widespread reports of tensions between Driscoll and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the outgoing Army secretary described it as an honor to serve under both Hegseth and Trump.
“Our Soldiers, Civilians, and their Families are our Nation’s very best, and they have inspired me every day,” Driscoll wrote.
He credited progress made during his tenure to “the support of Secretary Hegseth.”
Driscoll’s departure nevertheless follows several Army leadership changesincluding Hegseth’s removal of an officer allied with Driscoll and the rollback of a drone-modernization program the secretary had championed.
More on US News