Canadian PM Hails Trump as ‘Transformative President’ Amid India-Pakistan Truce

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney labeled U.S. President Donald Trump a "transformative president" during a White House meeting, praising his role in securing a truce between India and Pakistan. Speaking in the Oval Office during his second visit since taking office in March, Carney lauded Trump’s influence on global affairs, including the May 2025 India-Pakistan ceasefire, NATO defense commitments, and Middle East diplomacy. However, India disputes Trump’s claim of brokering the truce, insisting it was resolved through direct military talks.

Carney’s remarks come amid strained U.S.-Canada trade relations, exacerbated by Trump’s tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, lumber, and automobiles. “You hosted me months ago, and I said you’re a transformative president,” Carney said, as Trump nodded. “From the economy to peace between India-Pakistan and Azerbaijan-Armenia, to disabling Iran’s terror influence—these were important.” Despite the praise, no firm commitments were made to ease tariffs, a critical issue ahead of the 2026 USMCA review. Trump’s jest about annexing Canada as the 51st state drew laughs, with Carney quipping, “That wasn’t where I was going,” before reaffirming Canada’s support for Trump’s Middle East peace efforts.

The India-Pakistan truce followed a tense four-day military standoff in May 2025, triggered by a terrorist attack in Kashmir. Trump has claimed his diplomatic pressure, including trade incentives, averted war, a narrative backed by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick but rejected by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who credits a direct hotline between military officials. Pakistan’s later nomination of Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize stirred further debate, highlighting the contentious narrative around his role.

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Trump called Carney a “world-class leader” who can be “very nasty,” acknowledging his negotiation prowess. While both leaders emphasized progress, Carney’s X statement noted only a mutual recognition of “areas for competition and collaboration.” With Canadian exports heavily reliant on the U.S., Carney’s diplomatic balancing act seeks to ease trade tensions while leveraging Trump’s global ambitions, but the lack of tariff relief leaves Canada’s economic future uncertain as the USMCA review looms.

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