Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to visit the White House within the next week, marking his first face-to-face meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump since the Canadian election. The exact date has not been confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), though both leaders spoke by phone earlier this week.
Trump, commenting just days after Carney’s surprise election win, said the two leaders had a “very nice” conversation. “He couldn’t have been nicer and I congratulated him,” Trump said, claiming Carney told him, “Let’s make a deal.”
The election, which saw Carney’s Liberals stage a comeback victory, was widely seen as a response to Canadian frustration over Trump’s antagonistic policies — particularly tariffs and inflammatory remarks, including his suggestion that Canada should become a U.S. state.
Since his victory, Carney has also held calls with King Charles and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy posted on social media that he and Carney discussed Canada’s G7 leadership role and potential steps toward a ceasefire in Ukraine. He thanked Canada for its continued support.
In his victory speech, Carney emphasized that his upcoming meeting with Trump would focus on “the future economic and security relationship between two sovereign nations.” He added, “We have many other options than the United States to build prosperity for all Canadians.”
The White House meeting could mark the beginning of a new chapter in the historically strong Canada-U.S. partnership — a relationship many Canadians now view with skepticism following Trump’s recent policies.
Since returning to the presidency, Trump has renewed threats of sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods, citing border concerns and fentanyl trafficking — despite U.S. data showing minimal drug flow from Canada. He also imposed tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles, actions that have disrupted the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), a trade deal he once lauded.
Carney and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre both campaigned on promises to defend Canada’s interests in the face of Trump’s provocations. While Trump remarked that “both hated Trump,” he noted, “it was the one that hated Trump the least that won.”
Though the Liberals failed to secure a majority — largely due to Conservative gains in Ontario — Carney has pledged to push back on U.S. threats with a strong mandate.
Observers say Carney must tread carefully. Laura Dawson, executive director of the Future Borders Coalition and a Canada-U.S. relations expert, advised that the prime minister prepare to engage constructively. “Leading with the heart and not the head could be dangerous,” she warned.
Dawson urged Carney’s team to study Trump’s economic priorities and identify areas where Canada can contribute — such as energy, critical minerals, AI, and pharmaceuticals. She also stressed the importance of arriving with concrete commitments on defence spending and border security.
“Feeling insulted is not a negotiating strategy,” Dawson said. “Carney needs to show pragmatism and come ready to collaborate, especially on the looming CUSMA review.”
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