U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had a conversation on Friday, which both called productive. However, the Canadian leader noted that Ottawa will impose the relevant tariffs next week, as promised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This call was their first contact since March 9, when Carney became the leader of the ruling Canadian Liberals. Carney pointed out that Trump\u2019s threat of tariffs is a betrayal of former close economic and security relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was an extremely productive conversation, we agree on many issues, and we will meet immediately after the upcoming elections in Canada to work on policy, business, and other important aspects,\u201d Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that this work \u201cwill ultimately be great for both the United States and Canada.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump, who often expresses ideas about the annexation of Canada, referred to Carney as the Canadian prime minister, not the governor of the 51st U.S. state \u2014 a term he frequently used to describe former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cToday, the president respected Canada\u2019s sovereignty in both his private and public comments,\u201d Carney said at a press conference in Montreal, noting that the phone call was very cordial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Thursday, Carney promised to make Canada\u2019s economy less dependent on the United States. Trump\u2019s announcement on tariffs is expected on April 2. Ottawa has made it clear for several months that it will impose countermeasures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI informed President Trump that my government will impose retaliatory tariffs to protect Canadian workers and our economy after the announcement of new U.S. trade measures on April 2,\u201d Carney said at a press conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The United States and their northern neighbor have long been close allies and trading partners, but relations soured after Trump took office in January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carney noted that both leaders agreed to begin comprehensive negotiations on new economic and security relations immediately after the April 28 elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canada, along with Mexico, is part of the trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, which is scheduled for review next year. Carney said he doesn\u2019t know whether Mexico will participate in negotiations on new economic and security relations, adding that Canada prefers Mexico\u2019s involvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carney reiterated that Canada needs to find new trade partners and said that if he wins the elections, he will create a $5 billion Canadian Trade Diversification Fund to support the construction of ports, railroads, inland terminals, airports, and highways.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":3864,"template":"","class_list":["post-3866","news-cu","type-news-cu","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n