Mark Carney Reports No Contact with Trump Amid Trade Tensions

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that he has not communicated with the White House since U.S. President Donald Trump cancelled trade discussions last week. This announcement comes amid escalating tensions linked to a controversial advertising campaign by Ontario Premier Doug Ford that has complicated Canada’s trade relations with the United States.

During a press conference held on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where Carney is attending the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, he refrained from expressing any dissatisfaction with Ford’s actions. His comments reflected an effort to maintain a diplomatic stance while addressing the ongoing complexities of international trade relationships.

Carney stated, “I have not,” in response to inquiries about any recent contact with Trump. He emphasized Canada’s role as a “reliable” trading partner that “honours their commitments.” This statement was viewed as a direct response to Trump’s recent announcement of new punitive tariffs against Canada, which were a reaction to Ford’s advertisement that misrepresented Trump’s views on tariffs and trade wars.

The $75 million advertisement, which featured archival footage of former President Ronald Reagan speaking against tariffs, aired on U.S. television networks, including during the World Series. The ad quickly sparked controversy, drawing accusations of misrepresentation from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and raising questions about its authenticity.

Carney avoided further queries regarding Trump’s remarks and Ford’s apparent divergence from Ottawa’s trade strategy. He reiterated Canada’s willingness to negotiate, stating, “We stand ready to sit down with the United States — myself with the president and my colleagues with their colleagues — when the U.S. is ready to sit down.” He noted that significant progress had been made on trade relations, particularly regarding steel, aluminum, and energy.

If the United States remains unprepared to resume trade negotiations, Carney indicated that Canada would focus on strengthening its economy and exploring other trade opportunities. He mentioned that Canada has contingency plans in place should talks with the U.S. not proceed, although he did not elaborate on those strategies.

Carney also highlighted achievements at the ASEAN summit, including new trade agreements with Indonesia and progress in discussions with the Philippines. As Canada navigates its relationship with the United States, there are growing concerns regarding its interactions with China.

When asked about the removal of a 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles, Carney remained noncommittal but suggested that easing certain barriers established by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could be under consideration. “It’s the start of a broader discussion,” he stated regarding Canada’s second-largest trading partner.

Carney’s recent meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang during the United Nations General Assembly marked the first high-level engagement between the two nations in several years. As Carney prepares for a subsequent meeting with President Xi Jinping at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, former diplomat Michael Kovrig cautioned that China may be using diplomatic outreach to improve its international standing while not intending to alter its fundamental policies.

Kovrig noted that while Canada may benefit from a more positive diplomatic tone, it is crucial to recognize that this could merely be a façade. He stated, “It just wants to change the mood music. That’s an improvement from Canada’s perspective… But Canadians need to understand that it is just diplomatic wrapping paper.”

As Canada continues to navigate these complex international trade dynamics, the outcomes of Carney’s efforts at the ASEAN summit and future negotiations with both the United States and China remain pivotal for the nation’s economic strategy.