PM Carney to meet Trump as Canada–U.S. relations remain tense
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday at a time when one of the world’s most durable and amicable alliances has been fractured by Trump’s trade war and annexation threats, The Associated Press reported.
Carney’s second visit to the White House comes ahead of a review next year of the free trade agreement, which is critical to Canada’s economy. More than 77% of Canada’s exports go to the U.S.
Trump said Monday that he anticipated Carney wanted to use the meeting to discuss trade.
“I guess he’s going to ask about tariffs, because a lot of companies from Canada are moving into the United States,” Trump told reporters after signing an executive order related to Alaska. “He’s losing a lot of companies in Canada.”
Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st state and his tariffs have Canadians feeling an undeniable sense of betrayal. Relations with Canada’s southern neighbor and longtime ally haven’t been worse, according to AP.
It is noteworthy that about $2.5 billion (nearly $3.6 billion Canadian) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. There is close cooperation on defense, border security and law enforcement.
