Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to Washington early next week for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump — his second visit to the White House since taking office.
Carney departs Monday evening, with the meeting scheduled for Tuesday. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) described the trip as a “working visit and meeting.” He will be joined by Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, and Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc.
According to the PMO, discussions will focus on “shared priorities in a new economic and security relationship between Canada and the U.S.”
The visit comes as both countries struggle to resolve disputes over U.S. tariffs, while also reviewing the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Trump recently announced new duties — a 10 per cent levy on softwood lumber and a 25 per cent tariff on cabinets and furniture set to begin Oct. 14 — adding to mounting pressure on Carney to secure concessions.
Since launching a trade war in February, Trump has imposed sweeping tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, autos, and copper, while carving out limited exemptions for goods compliant with CUSMA. Negotiations for a broader economic and security deal remain ongoing, with Carney stressing that his priority is securing the “best deal,” not the fastest one.
Despite opposition criticism, Carney argues Canada still holds a strong position, noting that 85 per cent of Canadian exports to the U.S. remain tariff-free. Last month, Ottawa dropped several counter-tariffs by exempting CUSMA-covered goods, and earlier this year, rescinded its digital services tax opposed by Trump.
