Prime Minister Mark Carney described his Friday morning phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump as “very constructive,” setting the stage for immediate negotiations on economic and security issues following Canada’s federal election.
“The Prime Minister and the President had a very constructive conversation about the relationship between our two countries,” Carney stated officially. This marks the first direct dialogue between Trump and Carney since the latter assumed office on March 14.
The conversation came on the heels of Trump’s announcement earlier this week that the United States would impose a 25% tariff on vehicles manufactured outside of its borders, starting April 2. During the call, Carney explicitly informed Trump that Canada intends to implement retaliatory tariffs in response to this measure.
Trump, who referred to the call as “extremely productive,” publicly acknowledged their shared points of agreement in a post on Truth Social, expressing optimism about future relations: “I just finished speaking with Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada. It was an extremely productive call. We agree on many things, and will be meeting immediately after Canada’s upcoming election to work on elements of politics, business, and all other factors beneficial for both countries.”
In preparation for detailed negotiations, discussions between International Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick are expected to intensify, aimed at addressing urgent trade concerns ahead of broader talks.
Carney briefly stepped away from campaigning to handle this international matter, convening his cabinet in Ottawa and planning consultations with provincial premiers to solidify Canada’s unified response.
While Trump has signaled positivity in recent interactions, his historical unpredictability in dealings with Canada, characterized by sudden announcements and policy reversals, casts a shadow of caution over future relations.
Previous interactions under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were notably tense, with Trump frequently dismissing Trudeau as “Governor” and accusing him of leveraging trade talks for political gain. Carney’s approach signals a determined but cautious effort to redefine this bilateral relationship positively.