By Victor Akan
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that he will hold a phone call with US President Donald Trump in the coming days to discuss escalating trade tensions.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Carney revealed that Trump’s office had reached out to schedule the call on Wednesday night. If it takes place, it will mark the first direct conversation between the two leaders, according to reports from Xinhua news agency.
Carney, who chaired a Cabinet Committee meeting on Canada-US Relations and National Security, stated that Canada will respond decisively to the US-imposed tariffs on automobiles.
He asserted that any retaliatory measures will be designed to inflict significant economic impact on the United States while minimising harm to Canada.
He warned that the longstanding economic and security partnership between Canada and the US had fundamentally changed, stressing that Canada would reject any attempts to undermine its sovereignty.
“The old relationship we had with the United States, based on deepening economic integration and close security and military cooperation, is over,” he declared.
In response to the trade dispute, Carney announced a “strategic response fund” worth 2 billion Canadian dollars (£1.14 billion) aimed at supporting Canada’s auto industry.
The dispute escalated after Trump announced on Wednesday that the US would impose a 25 per cent tariff on all foreign-made vehicles from 2 April. The move is expected to severely impact the Canadian automotive sector, which employs approximately 500,000 people.
Following Trump’s announcement, Carney suspended his election campaign ahead of Canada’s general election on 28 April and returned to Ottawa for urgent discussions with Cabinet ministers on how to counter the tariffs.
Describing the US tariffs as “unjustified” and a violation of existing trade agreements, Carney reiterated that Canada would not back down. He cautioned Canadians that Trump had permanently altered bilateral relations and that, regardless of any future trade negotiations, there would be “no turning back.”
“Our response to these latest tariffs is to fight, to protect, and to build,” Carney asserted. “We will impose retaliatory trade actions that will have maximum impact in the United States while ensuring minimal disruption here in Canada.”
Carney, who succeeded Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister on 14 March, has yet to speak directly with Trump.
Traditionally, a newly appointed Canadian leader prioritises a call with the US President; however, relations between the two countries have been strained since Trump made repeated remarks questioning Canada’s sovereignty.
Carney has made it clear that while he is open to discussions, he will not engage in formal trade negotiations unless Trump demonstrates “respect” towards Canada, particularly by ceasing his annexation threats.
“For me, there are two conditions—not necessarily for a phone call, but for negotiations with the United States. First, respect—respect for our sovereignty as a country… Apparently, that is a lot to ask from him,” Carney stated.
He further emphasised that any future discussions would need to comprehensively address both economic and security concerns.
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