TORONTO (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that his initial conversation with the newly appointed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was “extremely productive.” Carney noted that Trump acknowledged Canada’s sovereignty in both private discussions and public statements, while also mentioning that the dynamics of their relationship have shifted.
This call occurred amidst Trump’s trade war against Canada, with threats to economically pressure Canada into becoming the 51st U.S. state, a stance that has outraged many Canadians. Trump refrained from addressing this issue in his social media updates and remarks later on.
“We had a very good conversation. Mark called me,” Trump remarked. “We had a really great talk. He’s going through an election. We’ll see what happens.”
Unlike his treatment of Carney’s predecessor Justin Trudeau, Trump did not refer to the current prime minister as a governor.
In his social media post, Trump mentioned that both sides “agree on numerous matters and will meet soon after Canada’s upcoming election to discuss various aspects of Politics, Business, and other factors that will ultimately benefit both the United States and Canada.”
However, Trump indicated that additional tariffs would be implemented, and Carney conveyed that Trump made no commitments to retract tariffs on steel, aluminum, automobiles, and other products.
“It’s evident that the United States is no longer a dependable partner. It’s likely that through negotiations, we can restore some trust, but we cannot revert to the past,” Carney stated.
Previously, Carney mentioned he would only engage with Trump if he respected Canada’s sovereignty.
“The president respected Canada’s sovereignty today in both his private and public comments,” Carney confirmed.
He characterized the call as positive, cordial, and constructive.
“Just what we need,” Carney added.
Carney announced he would commence extensive negotiations for a “new economic and security relationship” right after the Canadian election scheduled for April 28.
Carney, who succeeded Trudeau as Canada’s leader and head of the Liberal Party, is at the beginning of a five-week campaign.
“We require a new agreement and partnership with the United States because there are numerous changes, excessive tariffs, and too many threats directed at us,” Carney explained. “There is considerable uncertainty in this relationship. We have made progress, but we will see.”
The former central banker was sworn in as Canada’s prime minister on March 14. It is uncommon for a U.S. president and Canadian prime minister to go an extended period without communication following a new leader’s inauguration.
Trump escalated his trade conflict this week by announcing a 25% tariff on automobile imports, with autos being Canada’s second-largest export.
Previously, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Canada’s steel and aluminum and is contemplating sweeping tariffs on all Canadian goods — as well as goods from all of America’s trading partners — by April 2.
Carney warned that the significant transformation Trump is pushing for in repatriating manufacturing to the U.S. could result in inflation and slowed growth. Nevertheless, he asserted that reaching an agreement with America’s most vital trading partner would ultimately benefit both Americans and Canadians.
“We are going to have a very good relationship with Canada,” Trump expressed.
Canada has previously indicated its intention to retaliate with counter tariffs, which Carney reiterated during his discussion with Trump.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance took a firmer stance towards Canada on Friday, highlighting the country’s threats of retaliatory tariffs.
“As President Trump always states, they simply do not hold the cards,” Vance remarked in Greenland. “There’s no way that Canada can succeed in a trade war against the United States.”
Vance asserted that Canada has made American farmers and manufacturers adhere to an unfair set of rules for decades.
During his first term, Trump renegotiated the free trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, referring to it at the time as the “most modern, up-to-date, and balanced trade agreement in our country’s history, featuring the most advanced worker protections ever developed.”
Trump and Carney agreed that Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s Minister of International Trade, and United States Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, will enhance talks to address impending tariffs in the interim.
The governing Liberals seemed poised for a significant election defeat this year until Trump ignited a trade war and challenged Canada’s sovereignty. This crisis has fostered a surge in patriotism among Canadians, many of whom believe Carney is the suitable leader for the nation at this time.
Trump has previously acknowledged that he has disrupted Canadian politics.
___
Associated Press writer Seung Min Kim in Washington contributed to this report.
