Prime Minister Mark Carney remains in frequent communication with U.S. President Donald Trump despite the ongoing trade tensions and critical comments from U.S. officials. Carney indicated that their recent discussions have centered on global affairs, particularly the impact of conflicts in Ukraine and Iran on international energy and grain markets.
During a press conference in Calgary alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Carney highlighted the importance of collaborating with the United States on global issues, emphasizing the ability to separate different matters. He disclosed that he had spoken with Trump multiple times in the past few days regarding Ukraine and Iran, among other global developments, as part of their shared responsibilities.
Following the breakdown of tariff negotiations between Canada and the U.S., both countries imposed tariffs on each other’s goods. The U.S. imposed significant levies on Canadian products, prompting Canada to retaliate with tariffs on a similar value of U.S. imports. In response, the Trump administration announced additional tariffs and bans on certain Canadian imports.
Carney refrained from confirming whether Canada would impose further counter-tariffs on U.S. goods, stating that his government is assessing the recent U.S. measures. Despite the stalled talks, Carney expressed optimism about reaching a fair agreement with the U.S., emphasizing the potential benefits for both countries.
Amid disparaging remarks from Trump and key officials, including renaming Lake Ontario as “Lake America,” Carney criticized the derogatory comments directed at Canada. He pushed back against the administration’s negative rhetoric, labeling it as unbecoming of their positions.
When questioned about Trump’s continued criticism of Canada post-negotiations, Carney declined to speculate on the motives behind the remarks, emphasizing Canada’s focus on safeguarding its sovereignty.