U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on April 29, 2025, that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit the White House next week to negotiate a new economic and security relationship.
The announcement, made during a Michigan rally, comes amid a trade war sparked by Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, which Carney countered with reciprocal levies, per CBC News. The visit aims to address tensions over Trump’s threats to “acquire” Canada as a 51st state, per The Washington Post.
Carney, a former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor, won a historic Liberal Party comeback, fueled by anti-Trump nationalism. His campaign promised to protect Canada’s $450 billion in U.S. exports, with 90% of oil exports at risk. Trump described their March 28 call as “extremely productive,” but his tariffs have caused job losses in Canada’s manufacturing sector. Carney ruled out concessions on Canada’s dairy supply management, with 300% tariffs on U.S. imports.
The U.S.-Canada-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) faces uncertainty, with Carney suggesting a bilateral deal excluding Mexico, per The Globe and Mail. Canada’s G7 presidency in 2025 gives Carney leverage, but its underfunded military and 2.1% GDP growth limit global influence, per The New York Times. Trump’s push to relocate U.S. manufacturing has raised consumer prices, with U.S. inflation at 3.4%, per BLS data. Carney’s visit, set for May 7, will test his crisis management credentials.
Analysts expect tough negotiations, with Canada seeking tariff relief and Trump demanding concessions on border security, per BBC. The visit follows Carney’s European trip in March, securing support from France and Britain against Trump’s policies, per AP News. The outcome could redefine U.S.-Canada ties, strained by Trump’s rhetoric, or escalate the trade war, impacting 2 million Canadian jobs, per Statistics Canada.