France, Sept. 1 -- Prime Minister Mark Carney instructed Canadian negotiators to walk away from trade talks in Washington on 21 August after the two sides failed to reach a deal. The breakdown centred on much broader disagreements over US tariffs, access to the Canadian market and Canada's ability to protect key industries.

But French language and culture were also among the issues raised during the negotiations.

"We were not prepared to compromise on the protection of the French language and our culture," Carney said on 22 August, adding that Washington had pushed on those issues "until the very last minute".

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer disputed Canada's account, saying French-language protections were not a US "red line"....