US President Donald Trump has said Canada wants "the benefits of being a state, without being one" after trade talks between the two countries collapsed late on Friday.
The comments are the latest in a series of remarks by the president about Canada's relationship with the United States, which have caused frustration in Ottawa.
Negotiators had been seeking to resolve disputes over tariffs and market access, but the talks ended without agreement, according to officials on both sides.
“Talks collapsing is not the end of the story; these two economies are simply too intertwined to stay apart for long.”
Canada is one of the largest trading partners of the United States, with supply chains in sectors such as cars, energy and agriculture closely linked across the border.
“Canada will continue to stand up for its workers and businesses, and we remain open to a fair deal,” a Canadian government spokesperson said.
Business groups in both countries have warned that a prolonged trade dispute could raise costs for consumers and disrupt manufacturers that depend on cross-border trade.
The White House said the administration was prepared to take further action if it judged that Canadian trade practices remained unfair to American companies.
Previous rounds of tariffs and counter-tariffs between the two nations have already affected industries including steel, aluminium and lumber.
Economists warn that if tariffs between the two countries rise further, the effects could ripple through North American supply chains, with manufacturers on both sides of the border facing higher costs for parts and raw materials.
It is unclear when or whether negotiations will resume, though officials on both sides have indicated that channels of communication remain open.
