Carney still hasn’t spoken to Trump, thinks president is waiting for election results to talk

Prime Minister Mark Carney has revealed that he has not yet had a conversation with US President Donald Trump since taking office last week. This lack of communication has raised questions about the state of the relationship between the two leaders and the future of trade relations between Canada and the United States.

Carney made it clear that he is willing to speak with Trump, but only on Canada’s terms. He emphasized the importance of Canada being seen as a sovereign country and not as subservient to the US. The Prime Minister stated that any conversation with Trump would need to be based on a comprehensive deal that benefits both nations.

The fact that Trump has not reached out to congratulate Carney on becoming Prime Minister has not gone unnoticed by Carney’s team. This lack of communication has created tension between the two countries, with many questioning the future of their relationship.

Canada’s embassy in Washington has been in touch with US officials about a potential call between Carney and Trump, but as of now, there is no scheduled conversation. Carney believes that Trump may be waiting to see the outcome of the federal election in Canada before engaging with him.

During the election campaign, Carney referenced comments made by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in a recent interview with a right-wing US media company. Smith suggested that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is more aligned with the Trump administration’s agenda, leading to speculation about the potential impact of the election on Canada-US relations.

Poilievre has avoided addressing Smith’s comments directly, choosing instead to focus on his campaign platform of putting “Canada first.” He believes that a Conservative government is best equipped to handle ongoing tariff threats from the US and protect Canadian interests.

The escalating trade war between the US and Canada, with tariffs on steel and aluminum being imposed by both countries, has put additional strain on the relationship. Trump’s threat of sector-specific tariffs scheduled for April 2 has created uncertainty about the future of trade between the two nations.

As the federal election campaign unfolds, the issue of how to handle Trump and the trade war has become a central theme. Public opinion polls show the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party in a close race, with the outcome of the election potentially shaping the future of Canada-US relations.

Overall, the lack of communication between Carney and Trump, combined with the ongoing trade tensions, highlights the complex and delicate nature of the relationship between Canada and the United States. The outcome of the federal election will likely have a significant impact on the future direction of this important bilateral relationship.