Carney Praises Trump Negotiator Skills Before US-Canada Trade Review

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has described US President Donald Trump as a “strong negotiator,” suggesting that recent tariff threats should be seen as tactical positioning ahead of upcoming trade discussions. Speaking on Monday, Carney said several of Trump’s remarks were part of pre-negotiation maneuvering as both countries prepare to review the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) later this year.

Trump recently threatened to impose a sweeping 100% tariff on Canadian imports if Ottawa pursued a trade deal with China. Carney, however, reiterated that Canada has no intention of entering a comprehensive trade agreement with Beijing and stressed that the forthcoming talks with Washington would be a structured review rather than a full renegotiation of the pact.

According to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Carney held a phone call with Trump on Monday, during which the Canadian leader reportedly sought to clarify and soften earlier remarks made at the World Economic Forum in Davos. While Carney’s office did not immediately comment on the call, U.S. officials characterized the conversation as constructive.

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Canada’s trade minister Dominic LeBlanc further emphasized that discussions with China are limited in scope, covering only a few economic sectors. He noted that Canada’s approach mirrors previous U.S.-China arrangements, where tariff reductions were exchanged for targeted concessions such as export approvals and commodity purchases.

Trade tensions have intensified in recent years, with Canada aligning with the U.S. in 2024 by imposing steep tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum. China retaliated with heavy duties on Canadian agricultural and food products. Earlier this month, Carney announced a partial rollback of EV tariffs following talks in Beijing, alongside an annual import cap and expectations of future Chinese investment in Canada’s auto sector.

The dispute unfolds against a backdrop of broader geopolitical friction, including Trump’s controversial remarks about Canada’s sovereignty and his push to acquire Greenland. Carney has emerged as a vocal advocate for middle powers to coordinate against U.S. pressure, a stance that gained international attention at Davos and further fueled tensions between the two leaders ahead of the pivotal trade review.

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