Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Washington on Tuesday marked a rare moment of warmth in the often-fraught trade relationship between Canada and the United States.
Despite leaving without a breakthrough agreement, Carney’s Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump was viewed as a diplomatic success, easing tensions and setting the stage for further talks.
Warm White House meeting, but no trade deal yet
In a meeting described as cordial and constructive, President Trump praised Carney as “a world-class leader” and “a tough negotiator,” saying that the two countries had “come a long way” in recent months.
The US president expressed optimism that Canada would “walk away very happy” with any eventual trade deal, though he acknowledged that negotiations remained “complicated.”
Carney, who won election in April on a platform to repair Canada’s tariff-battered economy and rebuild ties with Washington, echoed the positive tone.
He said he was confident that Canada and the US would “get the right deal,” even as major issues remain unresolved — including tariffs and future revisions to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Trump imposed a 35% levy on Canadian imports, alongside sector-specific tariffs — 50% on metals and 25% on automobiles — though exemptions apply for goods covered under USMCA.
Carney has rolled back several countertariffs on US goods to ease tensions, but key trade barriers remain in place.
While Trump joked about a “merger” between the two countries, Carney defused the comment with a laugh, noting “that wasn’t where I was going.”
The lighthearted tone marked a clear contrast to Trump’s often combative relationship with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Domestic pressure mounts over tariffs
Back home, Carney faces increasing political and industry pressure to deliver tangible trade relief.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged the prime minister to “hit back hard” if Trump refuses to lift tariffs, calling for renewed countermeasures on US goods.
“Maybe Prime Minister Carney knows something I don’t know,” Ford said, suggesting that Carney brief provincial leaders on his trade strategy.
Labor groups also voiced frustration.
Marty Warren, national director of Canada’s United Steelworkers union, said “urgent action” is needed to protect jobs and industries, warning that “Canada’s softwood lumber industry is on the brink of collapse.”
Shared optimism, lingering complexity
Both leaders highlighted their personal rapport as a foundation for progress, with Trump saying the two countries share both “a natural conflict” and “mutual love.”
Carney responded by emphasizing the strength of Canada-US trade ties, noting that 75% of Canadian exports go to the US.
“There are areas where we compete and it’s in those areas we have to come to an agreement that works,” Carney said. “But there are more areas where we are stronger together.”
Despite the lack of a concrete breakthrough, the meeting was seen as a positive step in stabilizing relations between the two countries.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said, “A lot of times these trade deals get advanced because of a good personal relationship between the leaders. They seem to have started off on a good foot.”
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