Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump expect to sign a new trade deal within 30 days, marking a major turn in bilateral relations and signalling a potential end to the ongoing trade war.
The major development came in a readout by the prime minister’s office of a roughly hour-long meeting between both leaders Monday morning.
“Prime Minister Carney and President Trump discussed immediate trade pressures and priorities for each country’s workers and businesses, and shared updates on key issues raised in negotiations on a new economic and security relationship between Canada and the U.S.,” reads the readout.
“To that end, the leaders agreed to pursue negotiations toward a deal within the coming 30 days,” it continues. The PMO clarified that meant a new deal would be signed within that timeline.
During a media availability earlier in the day, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he felt a new trade deal with Canada could be achievable shortly, but did not suggest a timeline.
In a press conference after the Trump and Carney bilateral, Canadian ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman and Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc also said talks were accelerating with the Americans but omitted to mention the 30 day deadline.
Speaking to reporters during a photo op with Carney in the middle of their meeting, Trump said his and the prime minister’s views on tariffs differ widely.
Asked if a new deal could come within days or weeks, Trump said yes but noted that both parties had to come to an agreement.
Trump and Carney met for roughly one hour at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, half of which was one-on-one before they were joined by a coterie of advisors and their countries’ respective ambassadors.
