TORONTO — Canada’s soon-to-be-installed Prime Minister, Mark Carney, expressed his willingness on Wednesday to engage in discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump, under the condition that Canadian sovereignty is acknowledged and there is a mutual interest in discussing a unified strategy on trade.
President Trump has aggressively pushed a trade conflict with Canada and has provocatively suggested that Canada should become the 51st state of the United States—a stance that has deeply irritated Canadians. He has threatened economic pressure in his rhetoric aimed at annexation and has controversially implied that the border is merely a fictional demarcation.
Carney affirmed his openness to dialogue with Trump “when it’s appropriate,” emphasizing the necessity for respect toward Canada’s sovereignty and the need for a collaborative orientation toward trade. Carney’s remarks were made during a visit to a steel plant in Hamilton, Ontario, shortly after Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff hike on all steel and aluminum imports. Canada is currently the largest exporter of these materials to the United States.
Carney is hopeful that workers on both sides of the border will gain advantages when the leading economic and security partnership globally is revitalized. He acknowledges Trump’s concerns about American workers and issues related to fentanyl.
Carney acknowledged the challenge posed to Canada and its industry by what he described as “unjustified tariffs” introduced by the U.S. In retaliation, Canada plans to impose its own tariffs valued at 29.8 billion Canadian dollars ($20.7 billion), which will commence on Thursday. This move is aimed at responding to U.S. taxes on metals and will include tariffs on Canadian imports of U.S. goods such as steel, aluminum, computers, sports equipment, and water heaters, worth CA$14.2 billion ($9.9 billion).
“We’re reluctant to impose these tariffs because of our belief in open borders and free trade,” Carney remarked, “but we feel it is a necessary countermeasure.” In March, Canada had already implemented 25% counter-tariffs on CA$30 billion ($20.8 billion) of U.S. imports, following other tariffs that had a temporary reprieve.
Canada’s Foreign Minister, Mélanie Joly, commented on the recent developments, noting that this is the second series of unjustified tariffs targeted at Canada. She criticized the initial round as being fueled by exaggerated misconceptions about the Canadian border, which Canada has addressed. Joly also criticized the invocation of national security as a new rationale despite how Canadian steel and aluminum contribute to U.S. security. Joly cautioned that further tariffs could be imposed by April 2.
As President Trump continues to assert a variety of reasons for his actions, including allegations of fentanyl smuggling and dissatisfaction over high Canadian duties on U.S. dairy imports, he persists in urging Canada to join the United States.
Minister Joly reiterated that Prime Minister Carney is earnest about engaging in discussions but only if they are constructive and serious in nature.
