Carney and Trump speak, agree to meet in person following Liberal minority win
Prime Minister Mark Carney recently had a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, just a day after securing his party, the Liberals, a return to power in Canada. The campaign leading up to Carney’s victory was heavily focused on criticizing Trump’s trade war and his desire for Canada to become the 51st state of the United States.
The Prime Minister’s Office released a readout of the call between Carney and Trump, stating that the two leaders emphasized the importance of Canada and the U.S. working together as independent, sovereign nations for their mutual benefit. They also agreed to meet in person in the near future. The U.S. State Department also extended congratulations to Carney, expressing a desire to collaborate on various issues such as trade fairness, illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and countering Chinese influence in the region.
However, there was a conflicting statement from White House spokesperson Anna Kelly, stating that President Trump’s plan to make Canada the 51st state of America remains unchanged despite Carney’s election win. Trump has previously threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian goods and has repeatedly called for Canada to join the U.S. as a state.
Carney’s victory in the election was partially influenced by Trump’s actions, including tariff threats and annexation desires. The Liberals secured a minority win, falling short of the majority needed to govern independently. This outcome necessitates collaboration with opposition parties such as the Bloc Québécois or NDP to pass legislation and avoid another election in the near future.
The election results also saw the Conservatives securing 144 seats, the Bloc Québécois reduced to 22 seats, and the NDP with only seven seats. Elizabeth May remains the sole Green Party MP. Despite not achieving the strong mandate he sought, Carney’s minority government marks a significant turnaround for the Liberals, who were facing challenges earlier in the year.
Following his election win, Carney faces the task of leading a minority government and managing a diverse agenda that includes negotiations with the U.S. on economic and security matters. He has also pledged to reduce interprovincial trade barriers and lessen Canada’s reliance on the U.S. by Canada Day.
In addition to his conversation with President Trump, Carney also spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron about deepening defense and commercial ties between their nations. The upcoming session in the House of Commons will see notable absences, as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh both lost their seats. Singh has announced his resignation, while Poilievre expressed a desire to continue in his role.
As Carney navigates the challenges of leading a minority government and fulfilling his ambitious agenda, his interactions with global leaders like Trump and Macron will play a crucial role in shaping Canada’s future direction.
