Canadian PM Mark Carney Schedules Sensitive Trade Talks with Trump at G7 Summit in Alberta

Kananaskis, Alberta, June 16, 2025 — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to hold a crucial early-morning meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump today at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, highlighting urgent bilateral efforts to resolve escalating trade tensions.

Carney, who assumed office in March and secured his first federal mandate in April, arrived at the summit amid rising concern over Trump’s sweeping tariff policies. These include a 25 percent duty on Canadian steel and aluminum as well as levies on autos, measures that have strained cross-border economic ties.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand described the summit discussions as “sensitive,” citing deep economic integration and shared national interests  . Diplomats have been working behind the scenes to prepare the ground for a constructive dialogue and explore possible agreement frameworks.

Carney and Trump have reportedly engaged in intensive private talks in recent weeks, including calls and texts aimed at de-escalating tensions and mapping out a roadmap for broader Canada–U.S. cooperation  . According to Canadian sources, the centrepiece of today’s discussion is Canada’s demand for tariff relief and assurance of stable trade terms, in return for increased defence spending and alignment on economic partnership.

Observers say the Kananaskis summit is being shaped to avoid the discord of the 2018 Charlevoix meeting. Carney has reportedly drafted a lean summit agenda limiting public disagreement, with bilateral talks such as his meeting with Trump meant to address trade, artificial intelligence, and security issues quietly.

Following last night’s bilateral exchange in Ottawa between Carney and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Canada has formed a new economic and defense working group with the United Kingdom. Carney reaffirmed that the summit will prioritise issues over personality and avoid headline disagreements.

Carney’s handling of trade diplomacy and his meeting with Trump are being closely watched by global markets, with iron ore and agricultural sectors particularly sensitive to the outcome. Analysts suggest that carving out a trade truce at G7 could mark a turning point in North America–U.S. relations.