Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed on Thursday that he is set to have a discussion with U.S. President Donald Trump in the near future following Trump’s announcement of 25% tariffs on auto imports. Carney, who had not yet spoken with Trump since assuming office in Canada nearly two weeks ago, mentioned that the U.S. president had reached out to schedule a call on Wednesday night.
“We will be having a conversation soon, likely within the next day or two,” Carney stated. He emphasized the importance of Trump respecting Canada’s sovereignty, noting, “That’s not an unreasonable request, but it seems to be a challenge for him.” Trump’s actions have led to a trade dispute with Canada, with his controversial suggestion for Canada to become the 51st U.S. state causing friction among Canadians.
Carney expressed his view that the United States is no longer a dependable partner and emphasized the need for Canada to diversify its trade relationships outside of the U.S. He underscored the necessity for reducing reliance on the U.S. and highlighted the importance of pivoting towards other trade partners.
Since assuming office as Canada’s new prime minister on March 14, Carney has been proactive in addressing the trade tensions with the U.S. He announced a CA$2 billion ($1.4 billion) “strategic response fund” to safeguard Canadian auto jobs impacted by the tariffs imposed by Trump. Carney emphasized the urgency for Canadians to adapt to a changing economic landscape and stressed the need for a strong mandate to navigate through the current crisis.
The escalating trade tensions have created uncertainty for Canadian exporters, particularly in the auto sector, which is a significant contributor to the country’s economy. Carney’s proactive measures and calls for diversifying trade relationships reflect his commitment to safeguarding Canadian interests amidst the challenging trade environment created by the U.S. administration.
“The National President of Unifor, Lana Payne, emphasized that the automotive industry is not Donald Trump’s to take. Payne stated that Mark Carney should inform Trump that if American automakers want to sell vehicles in Canada, they must manufacture them in Canada.”
