Trump and Carney meet face-to-face after the general election
“Want American cars”… Trump reaffirms tariff imposition
Carney calls the meeting “broad and constructive” ‘[E-Daily Reporter Kim Yoon-ji] U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney engaged in a debate over the ‘incorporation of Canada into the United States’ during their first meeting on the 6th (local time), ‘ Reuters and other sources reported that during the meeting at the White House, Prime Minister Carney remarked, “As seen in real estate, there are places that are never for sale,” using the White House as an example. He said, “Canada is not for sale” and “it will never be sold.”
In response, President Trump countered, “Never say never.” He added, “I have encountered many things that seemed impossible, that eventually were possible,” and “We’ll see what happens over time.”
The meeting was the first face-to-face conversation since Carney’s Liberal Party won the Canadian general election last month, promoting an ‘anti-Trump’ stance. Conscious of this, President Trump began the meeting with a joke, saying, “I think I’m the greatest thing that ever happened to him” and “It might be one of the greatest comebacks in political history, more significant than mine.”
Prime Minister Carney emphasized his focus on defense improvements, border strengthening, and combating the illegal distribution of fentanyl. Both leaders expressed openness to renegotiating the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The USMCA, concluded during Trump’s first administration, is scheduled for review in July next year. The review will determine whether to extend the agreement, and if the three countries decide not to, it will expire in 2036.
Nonetheless, President Trump made clear his skepticism regarding trade with Canada related to automobiles and metals. He emphasized, “We want to build our own cars and make our own steel.”
After the meeting, Prime Minister Carney evaluated the talks with President Trump as broad and highly constructive at a press conference held at the Canadian Embassy in the U.S. He stressed that now is the time to begin serious discussions, adding that he and President Trump discussed ways to advance the North American automotive industry against foreign competitors, including those from Asia.
He further noted that while President Trump expressed a willingness to renegotiate the USMCA and abolish tariffs, “that doesn’t mean the outcome is predetermined.” He said, “There will be twists and turns, and there will be difficult parts, but there is a possibility,” emphasizing, “We discussed this more specifically, and in the coming weeks, follow-up discussions will continue between working-level officials and between him and me.”