Carney says he discussed cross-border trade with Trump amid stalled negotiations

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on the morning of Oct. 21 about cross-border trade issues. The conversation took place as Canada and the United States remained without a new trade agreement, amid a protracted trade war between the two countries. [1]

Carney described the call as covering a broad agenda that also included Iran, Ukraine and other Middle East matters, saying trade was among the subjects addressed. He did not announce an agreement, timetable, tariff change or other concrete outcome from the discussion. Carney has previously said he speaks regularly with Trump, including through private calls and text messages. [1]

The contact followed a breakdown in trade talks in August and subsequent new tariffs imposed by both countries on each other’s imports, the report said. It also followed early-September U.S. executive orders that completely banned imports of certain Canadian products, including motorcycles and alcohol. [1]

At the same Oct. 21 news conference, Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced $9 billion in support for sectors affected by the trade war. In response to questions about U.S. accusations that Canada was interfering in American politics, Carney said the United States had initiated the trade actions and that Canada had responded to protect Canadian jobs and companies. [1]

Carney reiterated that Canada was ready to sit down and negotiate a mutually beneficial deal with the United States. The call therefore signals continued senior-level engagement rather than a resolution of the trade dispute. For companies facing existing restrictions and tariffs, no negotiated settlement, revised market-access terms or removal of measures was reported. [1]