Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Washington this week for a high-stakes meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, hoping to put stalled trade negotiations back on track. The talks, which began earlier this year, have dragged past the leaders’ self-imposed August deadline with little progress or clarity on key sticking points.
Canada remains the only G7 nation yet to secure a new trade deal with the Trump administration. While Ottawa has the protection of the USMCA free trade agreement, Trump’s sweeping tariffs — including 35% on all Canadian goods and steep levies on steel, lumber, and vehicles — have put intense pressure on Carney to deliver relief for Canadian industries.
Trump, who recently joked about making Canada the “51st state,” has kept his negotiating stance vague. At the White House on Monday, he said only, “I guess he’s going to ask about tariffs,” insisting that “everybody is moving back to the U.S.”
Carney faces political heat at home. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has warned that anything short of a deal would be a “failure,” urging the prime minister to “negotiate a win” for Canadian workers and businesses.
Despite the tensions, Carney has sought to keep relations cordial, describing his rapport with Trump as “good” and noting that the two “routinely text.” His government has already made several goodwill moves, including ending the Digital Services Tax and dropping retaliatory tariffs against U.S. goods.
Analysts say Carney’s visit is aimed at getting Trump’s attention amid broader U.S. priorities. Trade experts also expect discussions to touch on defence cooperation, particularly the U.S.’s proposed Golden Dome missile shield, which would likely require Canada’s participation.
While few breakthroughs are expected, Tuesday’s face-to-face meeting could reset the tone of negotiations. With 75% of Canadian exports bound for the U.S., maintaining stability in the trade relationship remains critical for Canada’s economy.
