Carney Meets Trump Amid Growing Trade Tensions with Canada

WASHINGTON, Oct 7 (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday to address rising trade tensions that threaten Canada‘s economy. With an unemployment rate of 7.1%, the highest in nine years, the stakes are high for Carney as he seeks to renegotiate tariffs imposed by Trump on key exports such as steel and aluminum.

Carney’s visit marks his second trip to the White House this year, emphasizing the urgency to stabilize trade relations. Analysts believe Trump’s tariffs have put added strain on Canada’s economy, and with new tariffs on lumber set to be discussed next week, Carney faces increasing pressure.

“It makes a difference to have face-to-face time with Trump,” said Inu Manak, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Experts urge Carney to leverage this opportunity to push for exemptions on sectoral tariffs under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Polls show that Canadians are increasingly worried about the cost of living amidst ongoing trade disputes. A recent survey by Abacus Data found that the economy is a top concern among respondents, with many eager for the government to take action.

“If you look at all the different things that Trump is engaged in, is this right near the top? Probably not,” said Colin Robertson, a former Canadian diplomat. “That’s part of the reason why the prime minister is going down [to Washington], to say ‘give us your attention.’”

During his meeting with Trump, Carney aims to address these vital issues, although many analysts remain skeptical about the potential for significant progress. Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has been critical of Carney’s approach, urging him to secure a favorable trade deal.

Additionally, the backdrop of U.S. threats to annex Canada and statements suggesting Canada should become a U.S. state have further strained relations. Frank McKenna, a former Canadian ambassador to the U.S., called the current state of relations “the lowest point in relations that I can recall.”

As Carney continues discussions with Trump, he must navigate domestic pressures to accomplish tangible results. With more than 75% of Canada’s exports going to the U.S., the need for a favorable outcome is paramount.

“Improving relations with the White House ahead of the USMCA review is certainly an objective of the trip,” said Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University. “But opposition parties and part of the Canadian public will criticize Prime Minister Carney if he doesn’t achieve some progress on the tariff front.”

Ultimately, the outcome of this meeting could determine the future of trade relations between the two nations, as well as the broader health of Canada’s economy.