Trump and Canada’s new Prime Minister meet amid rising trade tensions
President Donald Trump is met today with Canada’s newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney, as both leaders face mounting pressure to ease trade tensions between the two neighboring allies.
(NBC)- President Donald Trump is meeting today with Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, in a closely watched face-to-face as trade tensions between the two longtime allies continue to escalate.
“I’m not sure what he wants to see me about, but I guess he wants to make a deal. Everybody does,” President Trump said ahead of the meeting.
Carney, who took office after campaigning on a tough stance against Trump’s trade agenda, has criticized U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum. He’s also pushed back strongly against Trump’s repeated comments suggesting Canada could become the “51st state.”
“President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us. That will never, ever happen,” Carney said in an April 28 speech.
Still, Carney struck a more diplomatic tone ahead of today’s talks, posting a video of his arrival in Washington and pledging to work with the U.S. to strengthen both countries. The White House has signaled that new trade deals could start rolling out in the coming weeks. But negotiations with other nations — including China — remain deadlocked, with Beijing still enforcing a 145% tariff on U.S. imports. Trump has acknowledged that the tariffs could raise prices for American consumers. When asked if costs for products like dolls could go up, he responded, “Maybe they might.”
Senate Democrats are calling for legislation to shield small businesses from the impact of the tariffs. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “Trump’s tariff tax is jacking up prices, smashing supply chains, forcing small shops to raise costs, lay off people.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. film industry is bracing for potential tariffs on movies made outside the country — part of a not-yet-finalized proposal from the Trump administration. Industry leaders fear the move could further damage a sector already struggling from the effects of COVID-19, labor strikes, and wildfires. With foreign countries offering generous tax breaks for film production, advocates — including California Governor Gavin Newsom — are urging the federal government to boost domestic incentives instead.
