Prime Minister Mark Carney told the House of Commons on Monday that Canada’s relationship with the United States remains solid, despite ongoing trade disputes and stalled negotiations. Speaking during the first question period of the fall session, Carney said he is in frequent contact with U.S. President Donald Trump, including through text messages, describing him as a “modern man.”
Carney’s remarks came after Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet pressed him on whether Canada could quickly rebuild a “privileged relationship of trust” with Washington. Carney acknowledged the challenges posed by tariffs and stalled trade talks but stressed that his government has consistently stood up for Canadian interests. He confirmed that his most recent conversation with Trump over the weekend touched on Ukraine and China.
Canada has faced steep tariffs since Trump raised duties to 35 per cent on goods not covered by the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). While Carney noted that only about 15 per cent of exports fall under this rate, key sectors such as steel, aluminum, autos, and lumber face tariffs as high as 50 per cent. The U.S. also ended the tariff exemption on low-value packages, drawing criticism from Canadian businesses.
Despite these setbacks, Carney insisted Canada still benefits from “the best deal with the U.S. worldwide” through CUSMA and emphasized the importance of diversifying trade ties with Europe, Asia, and South America. He highlighted Canada’s new $5-billion relief package for industries hit hardest by U.S. tariffs, which includes a “Buy Canadian” procurement strategy and $1 billion in support for small and medium-sized businesses.
While Carney has not visited Washington since May, he met Trump at June’s G7 summit in Alberta and said his government remains committed to advancing trade talks. With a scheduled CUSMA review on the horizon, Carney pledged to continue defending Canadian workers and industries against protectionist measures while keeping communication lines with Trump open.
