U.S. President Donald Trump praised Canada during a recent statement. When questioned about the possibility of resuming trade discussions with the country, Trump offered a non-committal response of “We’ll see.”
While en route to a gala at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Trump mentioned having had a positive and productive conversation on Friday with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum during an event related to the World Cup draw. Carney’s spokesperson described the talks as “constructive.”
Regarding the restart of trade negotiations with Canada, which were halted in October following a dispute triggered by anti-tariff advertisements from Ontario during the World Series, Trump refrained from making a firm commitment, stating that they would figure it out. He acknowledged Canada as a tough trading partner but emphasized his good relationship with the prime minister and the country.
Trump acknowledged the disruption in trade relations among the three nations earlier this year due to his implementation of significant tariffs. Although he increased tariffs on Canada to 35%, he granted Mexico extensions despite initially imposing 25% duties on the country. Both Canada and Mexico have also felt the impact of Trump’s tariffs on steel, aluminum, automobiles, lumber, and copper.
The Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) has provided protection from broad tariffs for Canada and Mexico, but the agreement is set for a mandatory review next year. Without mutual agreement on renewal, the deal will expire in 2036. As Trump considers withdrawing the U.S. from CUSMA, Mexico and Canada are exploring options to mitigate tariffs while advocating for duty-free trade within the continent.