Prime Minister Mark Carney, U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum held a private, staff-free meeting in Washington, D.C., on Friday, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. The three leaders had earlier shared the stage at the FIFA World Cup draw at the John F. Kennedy Center, where they were seen seated together throughout the event.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the draw, Trump said the closed-door discussion would focus on immigration and trade—issues poised to dominate North American relations in the coming year. The meeting comes as the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) approaches a scheduled review in 2026, a process that could reshape the continent’s economic landscape.
Trump amplified tensions earlier in the week when he told reporters the United States would “either let [CUSMA] expire or work out another deal,” claiming Mexico and Canada had “taken advantage” of the U.S. “It’s like just about every other country… because we had stupid people running our country,” he said.
Under the terms of the agreement, CUSMA will automatically sunset after 16 years unless all three countries decide to extend it. Any member nation may also withdraw with six months’ notice, giving the upcoming review heightened significance.
Carney, who had attempted to downplay expectations for major breakthroughs during his trip, now finds himself in unexpectedly high-stakes discussions. The relationship between the two leaders has been unusually warm in recent months. During Carney’s last visit to Washington in October, Trump praised him as a “strong leader” and a “tough negotiator,” saying he wasn’t surprised by Carney’s electoral victory.
“She is a world-class leader,” Trump added at the time. “He is a man that knows what he wants… he does a good job.”
As the private meeting unfolds, observers across North America are watching closely for any signs of agreement—or discord—between the three leaders responsible for the continent’s largest trade bloc. With the fate of CUSMA looming, Friday’s quiet conversation may set the tone for a contentious year ahead.