Ottawa, May 3, 2025 — Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Friday that he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, in their first in-person meeting since Carney was sworn in as Canada’s 24th prime minister in March.
The high-stakes meeting is expected to focus on Trump’s ongoing trade war against Canada and could set the stage for negotiating a new trade and security agreement between the two nations.
Carney, who led the Liberal Party to a minority victory earlier this week, addressed reporters during his first post-election press conference. He dodged questions about whether he would make lifting U.S. tariffs a condition for negotiations but emphasized that he would be “well-prepared” for a potentially tough conversation.
“I go there with the expectation of difficult but constructive discussions,” said Carney. “You go to these meetings well-prepared, understanding the objectives of your counterpart and always acting in the best interests of Canada.”
The White House has justified its tariffs by pointing to the alleged flow of fentanyl across the northern border—claims Canadian officials dispute, citing minimal seizures. Trump has also falsely claimed that the U.S. subsidizes Canada by $200 billion a year, despite trade data showing the U.S. trade deficit with Canada was only US$63.3 billion in 2024.
Carney, an economist and former central banker, campaigned on being uniquely qualified to handle Trump’s unpredictable leadership style and mounting trade pressures. He previously described himself as the candidate best equipped to secure Canada’s economy and sovereignty in the face of foreign pressure.
Asked if he was concerned about being blindsided in the upcoming talks—similar to what happened to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy earlier this year—Carney said, “You always prepare. I will fight for the best deal for Canada and only accept the best for Canada.”
During the election campaign, Trump oscillated between calling Carney a “very nice gentleman” and reviving his provocative idea of making Canada the 51st U.S. state. Carney confirmed Trump did not mention annexation in their Tuesday phone call but reiterated Canada’s firm stance on sovereignty.
“The Canadian people have clearly stated this will never, ever happen,” Carney said.
With no cabinet yet announced, the Carney-Trump meeting will mark the first major foreign policy test for the new prime minister, as tensions over tariffs, trade deficits, and national sovereignty continue to define the Canada-U.S. relationship.
