U.S. President Donald Trump praised Canada during a recent statement but remained non-committal when questioned about restarting trade discussions with the country. Trump’s response of “We’ll see” came after he mentioned having a positive and productive conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at an event related to the World Cup draw.
Although Carney’s spokesperson described the talks as “constructive,” Trump did not provide a clear stance on resuming trade negotiations with Canada, which were halted in October following his disapproval of anti-tariff advertisements from Ontario during the World Series. Trump acknowledged Canada’s tough negotiating tactics but emphasized his good relationship with the Canadian Prime Minister.
The President mentioned the challenge of Canada producing items redundant to U.S. manufacturing but expressed optimism in finding a resolution, highlighting Canada’s specialty in ice hockey. Trade dynamics among the three nations have been disrupted by Trump’s imposition of significant tariffs, including a 35% tariff on Canadian imports and a 25% tariff on Mexican goods.
Although the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) has provided some protection from widespread tariffs, it faces a mandatory review next year and could expire in 2036 without renewal. Both Mexico and Canada are exploring options to mitigate tariffs while advocating for duty-free trade within the continent as Trump considers withdrawing from CUSMA.