'We agreed on many things': Trump and Carney pave way for stronger US-Canada ties

A major milestone in US-Canada relations, President Donald Trump on Friday said that he had a "productive" meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The two leaders talked about major political and economic issues, ahead of a meeting soon after Canada's next general election.

Productive call sets tone for future cooperation

"It was a very productive call, we see eye to eye on many things, and will be getting together right after Canada's next election to address aspects of politics, business, and all other considerations that will ultimately be tremendous for both the United States of America and Canada," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

Trump praising the phone call he had with Carney, his apparent choice for the Prime Minister over Pierre Polliviere based on recent comments.#cdnpoli https://t.co/T0D5jU4aAu

— Chris in Canada 🍁 (@tsxman) March 28, 2025

The phone call between Trump and Mark Carney comes against the backdrop of mounting tensions around trade and sovereignty. Trump just a few days ago put a 25% tariff on auto imports, something that heavily affects Canada, whose automobile industry is the nation's second-largest export sector. The tariff move has unsettled supply chains and increased economic uncertainty since more than 75% of Canada's exports are directed to the US.

Agreement on mutual benefits

Carney, who was sworn in on March 14, had not had a direct conversation with Trump since becoming Prime Minister. This direct communication between the two leaders was extremely rare, as US presidents and Canadian prime ministers usually connect shortly after a change in leadership. Trump did not make the call until March 27, making the initial call, according to the Associated Press.

Aside from commerce, the tensions have also been heightened as a result of Trump's continued assertions that Canada must become the 51st US state, which has outraged Canadians and severely strained diplomatic relations. Carney reacted, stressing that Canada's sovereignty has to be respected and promising to lower dependency on the US by shifting trading relationships elsewhere.

A new chapter in US-Canada relations

At the same time, in direct response to the auto tariffs, Carney's government had introduced a $1.4 billion Strategic Response Fund to save Canadian auto jobs. Trump's hawkish trade policies, including threats of further tariffs on all Canadian goods beginning April 2, have pushed the two countries to the edge of a full-fledged trade war. Canadian opposition leaders, including Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, have also condemned Trump, calling on him to turn back.