Overview
- Prime Minister Mark Carney is traveling to Washington, D.C., for his first official meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on May 6 to discuss trade and security issues.
- The talks will focus on seeking relief from U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and automobiles, which have strained the Canada-U.S. trade relationship under CUSMA.
- Carney has signaled a shift in Canada's diplomatic posture, declaring the 'old relationship' with the U.S. to be over and emphasizing Canadian sovereignty.
- Experts recommend Carney form a multi-party advisory group to present a unified Canadian stance during negotiations, similar to the NAFTA advisory panel used during Trump's first term.
- While Trump has described Carney as 'a very nice man' and expressed optimism about the relationship, the outcome of the talks remains uncertain, with no immediate tariff relief expected.