Carney’s meeting with Trump yields no breakthroughs, and no blowups - The Globe and Mail

Meeting Summary

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with US President Donald Trump, resulting in no significant progress on ending the trade war but avoiding open conflict. Trump praised Carney, expressing a preference for him over Justin Trudeau. The meeting, described as the "end of the beginning" of redefining US-Canada relations, included discussions on various trade and security matters.

Key Discussion Points

• Trade War: Trump showed no willingness to lift tariffs on Canadian goods, even suggesting the USMCA might be unnecessary. Carney highlighted Canada's importance as a major US customer.
• Annexation: Trump repeatedly raised the possibility of annexing Canada, a notion Carney firmly rejected.
• USMCA: Trump expressed uncertainty about the USMCA's continued relevance, while Carney indicated the need for changes due to the imposed tariffs.
• Other Issues: The discussion also covered fentanyl, defense (particularly Arctic defense), critical minerals, and border security.

Outcome and Future Steps

While the meeting maintained a relatively cordial tone, there were no substantial agreements on trade. Carney and Trump agreed to further conversations, with a planned in-person meeting at the G7 summit. The overall impression is that the relationship is at a starting point of resetting, with several issues remaining unresolved.