Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says US President Donald Trump "respected Canada's sovereignty" in the first call between the pair, who spoke amid an ongoing trade war between the two neighbours. Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada should become the 51st US state - an idea that has sparked widespread backlash among Canadians. Carney, currently in the midst of an election campaign, described the call as "very constructive", while Trump said the call was "extremely productive". Trump's planned 25% tariff on vehicle imports is due to come into effect on 2 April, which could prove devastating for the Canadian car industry.
President Trump spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday for the first time since Carney was elected earlier in the month amid tensions between the two nations. “It was an extremely productive call, we agree on many things, and will be meeting immediately after Canada’s upcoming Election to work on elements of Politics, Business, and all other factors, that will end up being great for both the United States of America and Canada,” Trump posted on Truth Social. The conversation came a day after Carney, who replaced former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, delivered a speech declaring the U.S. was “no longer a reliable partner.”
"I just finished speaking with Prime Minister Mark Carney, of Canada. It was an extremely productive call, we agree on many things, and will be meeting immediately after Canada’s upcoming Election to work on elements of Politics, Business, and all other factors, that will end up being great for both the United States of America and Canada," Trump wrote on his Truth Social account. It was the first time the two leaders have spoken. On Thursday, Carney said the "old relationship" with the U.S. "is over" while vowing to engage in a renegotiation over a trade agreement. Carney, 60, who won the Liberal leadership this month with 86% of the vote after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood down, was speaking in Ottawa after meeting the nation’s provincial premiers.
