Mark Carney, leader of the Canadian Liberal Party and incoming prime minister, said on the 13th (local time) that he is ready to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump if Trump shows a willingness to respect Canada’s sovereignty and discuss a joint approach to trade.
According to the Associated Press, Carney spoke with reporters at a steel plant in Hamilton, Ontario, on the same day, saying, "If you respect Canadian sovereignty, I am ready to meet Trump at an appropriate time," and noted, "We are working toward a common approach, including a comprehensive approach to trade."
Trump declared a trade war by announcing a 25% tariff on Canada soon after taking office in February, and he has threatened to impose the tariff on April 2 after two extensions. He has also attacked Canada by claiming it should become the 51st state of the United States.
Carney's remarks on that day are interpreted as a display of his willingness to confront Trump, who has had a contentious relationship with Canada since the start of Trump's second administration. On that day, Trump also began imposing a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum globally. Canada is the largest supplier of steel and aluminum to the U.S.
Carney noted that the workers in both countries would "be better off when the greatest economic and security partnership in the world is renewed and restarted. That is possible," opening the possibility for conversation with Trump. He also stated that he respects Trump's concerns over American workers and fentanyl. However, Carney did not cease his offensive against Trump, saying, "Today is a tough day for Canada and the industry because unfair tariffs have been imposed."
Earlier, the Canadian government planned to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods worth 2.98 billion Canadian dollars (about 30 trillion won) in response to the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum starting on the 13th. Carney emphasized, "We believe in open borders and free and fair trade, and we do not want to do this, but we are doing this to respond to it."
The Trump administration implemented a 25% tariff on imports from Canada on the 4th, but granted an extension until the 2nd of the next month for items subject to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), including automobiles. The Canadian government has maintained retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports worth 30 billion Canadian dollars (about 30.3 trillion won) as a first-stage response.
Meanwhile, Carney will be sworn in as the new prime minister on the 13th local time.