Canada's Mark Carney to Meet with Trump Amid Ongoing Trade Tensions: What's at Stake

The meeting between Carney and Trump is scheduled for Tuesday.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will hold discussions with President Donald Trump in Washington next week regarding the ongoing trade war that is significantly impacting Canada's economy, according to an announcement from Carney's office on Friday.

Unlike other major US trading partners, including the European Union, Canada has not yet secured a comprehensive trade agreement with the Trump administration.

Currently, Trump has maintained exemptions from tariffs on all goods that comply with the existing United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which was established during his first presidential term.

Carney's office emphasized on Friday that the preservation of this agreement means that "Canada has the lowest average tariff rate of any American trading partner, with 85 percent of Canada's trade with the US being tariff-free."

However, the president's global sector-specific tariffs, particularly those targeting automobiles, steel, and aluminum industries, have severely affected Canada.

These sectors have experienced job losses, compelling Carney's Liberal government to announce billions of dollars in support for the affected industries.

With USMCA revision talks planned for next year, Carney has indicated that his team is focused on maintaining a beneficial agreement for Canada that also advantages the United States and Mexico.

According to the prime minister's office, Carney will travel to Washington on Monday for the Tuesday meeting with Trump, which will center on "shared priorities in a new economic and security relationship between Canada and the US."

The former prominent central banker, who only entered politics in January, faces growing criticism domestically over the persistent effects of Trump's trade war.

During his campaign, Carney successfully promoted himself as the ideal candidate to defend Canada against Trump's protectionist policies, citing his extensive experience in global economic management.

However, opposition parties are increasing pressure regarding what they describe as a lack of tangible results.

"It has been a gigantic bait-and-switch we were sold about this brilliant negotiator," Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre stated this week.

"Where is it? Point me to a single win," he added.