5 Things posted Apr 22, 2026 @ 08:00am by Iain Burns

5 things you need to know this morning: April 22, 2026

Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.

Five things you need to know

1. US wants 'entry fee' from Canada before CUSMA talks, Carney's 'slow approach' intentional: report

The US is demanding an "entry fee" from Canada to begin talks about the CUSMA free trade deal, according to a CBC report based on "four sources." One of the "high-ranking" sources – all of whom are anonymous – said: "The Americans are setting conditions before negotiations begin." Separately, former Quebec Premier Jean Charest, who is working with the Liberals on talks with the US, said "Trump wants us to make a lot of concessions before we sit down at the table" but "wouldn't make any" himself. Three of the sources said there is a "lack of urgency" from Ottawa, suggesting the Liberals are "playing for time." A "Quebec source," meanwhile," claimed Mark Carney told former Quebec Premier Francois Legault that the "slow approach" is part of the Liberals' strategy. Canada's chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, said she expected "some mutuality" from the US to match the "significant" concessions Ottawa has already made. Speaking this morning, Carney said: "It's not a case of the United States dictates the terms."

Washington demanding 'entry fee' from Ottawa before trade talks: sources https://t.co/vQcn24R1kG

Find out more at https://t.co/1zbPY5GAhV pic.twitter.com/IBfMNtmAUe
— National Newswatch (@natnewswatch) April 22, 2026

2. 'We will never go back to a zero-tariff world,' US trade rep says: report

Reuters, meanwhile, has its own anonymous sources story on CUSMA talks, with these mysterious individuals claiming US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has told Mexico that tariffs on autos and steel will remain even if a new deal is agreed. Greer reportedly said "tariffs are here to stay" because "President Trump likes them," adding: "We will never go back to a zero-tariff world."

Exclusive: US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told Mexico's auto and steel industries they should not expect the renegotiation of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement to remove President Donald Trump's tariffs on their sectors, four industry sources said https://t.co/pklxI9h2R5
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 21, 2026

3. Canadian Press asks: 'Should more be done to educate Americans on trade?'

Canada's largest national news agency, however, has taken a different approach to the CUSMA negotiations, running a story with the headline: "Should more be done to educate Americans on trade? This expert thinks so." The expert in question is Laura Dawson, the executive director of a lobby group named "Future Borders Coalition" that wants to "improve the mobility of people and goods" between the US and Canada. Dawson said: “Germany, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Britain, France … all of those countries are highly, highly invested in outreach and public education in the United States on commercial interests that Canada’s just not doing, has not been doing for years."

‘Canada better straighten up, bro’: Should more be done to educate Americans on trade? This expert thinks so. https://t.co/kES2IoSPRA
— CTV National News (@CTVNationalNews) April 22, 2026

4. Telecom firms lowering prices as fall in immigration squeezes profits

Canada's fall in immigration – and thus population – has led to a "price war" among phone and internet giants, bringing down costs for customers but squeezing profits and spooking investors. With stock prices down and layoffs increasingly common, the firms have been forced to battle it out for new subscribers after losing out on the enormous stream of foreign arrivals associated with the Trudeau government.

Canada’s big telecom companies are scrapping for customers, and Rogers shares are falling behind those of Telus and BCE. More in the Canada Daily newsletter. https://t.co/DMtJ2fBba2
— Bloomberg (@business) April 21, 2026

5. Cozying up to China a 'risky play' that 'makes Canada look unreliable': Kovrig

Former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig, who was imprisoned by China during the Meng Wanzhou affair, has said the Trump administration is "not wrong" to criticize the Liberals for cozying up to China. Kovrig said it was a "risky play" to boost relations with the US's primary geopolitical rival at a time when Canada remains economically dependent on the US. He said the move "makes Canada look unreliable," adding: "The risk is that Canada just becomes a footnote in the story that China is writing and they instrumentalize Canada to weaken Western alliances, to weaken the United States and ultimately achieve their own objectives."