Trump and Canadian PM Mark Carney Discuss Trade, ‘Love and Conflict,’ Amid Rising Tensions Over USMCA Review

U.S. President Donald Trump met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House on Tuesday, describing the relationship between the two nations as one of both “mutual love” and “natural conflict.”

The meeting comes ahead of the 2026 review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) — a crucial trade pact underpinning North American commerce. Trump suggested he was open to “renegotiating” the agreement or “doing different deals,” saying both options were on the table.

While praising Carney as a “world-class leader” and “tough negotiator,” Trump emphasized that the U.S. seeks a “fair share of business.” Carney, however, rejected the idea of “conflict,” stressing that the U.S. and Canada are “stronger together.”

Relations between the two allies have grown tense amid Trump’s tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum and past comments about making Canada the “51st U.S. state.” Analysts say Carney’s visit aims to ease tensions and seek tariff relief before next year’s USMCA review.

Canada remains one of America’s closest partners — with $2.5 billion worth of goods and services crossing the border daily. The U.S. depends heavily on Canada for energy, steel, aluminum, and critical minerals, while Canada counts on the U.S. as its largest trading partner.

Despite optimism for renewed cooperation, former Canadian ambassador Frank McKenna warned that the relationship is at “its lowest point in decades.”

Political analysts expect only limited progress on trade relief during this visit, though Carney’s outreach marks an important step toward repairing one of the world’s closest — yet currently strained — alliances.