Carney, Trump Hold Detailed Trade Talks as USMCA Future Faces Uncertainty

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed that he and his team held a series of detailed trade discussions with U.S. officials during the G7 summit in France, including multiple conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Speaking to reporters at an event in Vancouver on Thursday, Carney said the talks covered several key issues, including commercial and trade-related matters between Canada and the United States. He described the discussions as highly technical and comprehensive, reflecting ongoing efforts by both countries to address critical economic concerns.

“I had a number of conversations with the president in parallel in the last few days at the G7 on a range of issues, including some of the commercial aspects,” Carney said. He added that the discussions involved a series of technical exchanges that were “very detailed.”

The comments come as uncertainty grows over the future of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the trade pact that governs economic relations among the three North American nations. On Wednesday, Trump stated that the United States could perform better without the current agreement and suggested he would prefer not to negotiate a replacement. However, he also indicated a willingness to consider a new deal if necessary.

Under the terms of the agreement, Canada, the United States, and Mexico must approve a renewal of the USMCA by July 1 or formally signal their intention to withdraw. Such a withdrawal process could take up to 10 years, providing time for potential revisions and negotiations.

Carney acknowledged that Trump’s dissatisfaction with the trade agreement is widely known. Despite differing views on the future of the USMCA, he emphasized that Canada and the United States continue to have opportunities for cooperation on several trade issues.

One area highlighted by Carney was the long-standing issue of forestry product trade, which remains an important topic in bilateral economic discussions. As trade negotiations continue, both governments are expected to explore ways to strengthen economic ties while addressing concerns surrounding the future of North American trade relations.