Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged on Tuesday that he should have chosen his words more carefully when responding to queries about his interactions with U.S. President Donald Trump. While in Johannesburg, South Africa, following the G20 summit, Carney avoided discussing his recent conversation with Trump, stating, “We’ve had discussions. I’ve been busy. He’s got other things to do, and we’ll reconnect when the time is right.”
After facing criticism from the Opposition Conservatives, Carney admitted his mistake and emphasized the importance of addressing the ongoing trade issues between Canada and the U.S. He highlighted the relatively low tariff rates on Canadian goods imposed by the U.S. during the discussion.
Trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. hit a snag last month when Trump criticized Canada over an anti-tariff ad campaign led by Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Carney’s spokesperson mentioned that he is contemplating a trip to Washington next week to participate in the FIFA World Cup draw, which will be jointly hosted by Canada, the U.S., and Mexico in 2026.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Carney for not taking the tariff dispute seriously and suggested that Carney’s international trips have not yielded significant results. However, Carney refuted this claim, citing successful trade agreements with Indonesia and a substantial foreign investment pledge from the United Arab Emirates.
Furthermore, Carney reassured that more assistance will be provided to workers affected by tariffs, especially in industries like forestry, which have been severely impacted by the combination of American tariffs and countervailing duties. Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson also mentioned upcoming relief measures for sectors struggling due to Trump’s protectionist policies.