Ottawa – Arab Canada News

Canadian Liberal Party leader Mark Carney said that U.S. President Donald Trump expressed respect for "Canada's sovereignty" during a recent phone call between them, amid rising trade tensions between the two countries following Washington's imposition of tariffs on Canadian car imports.

In statements to the media made today, Friday, Carney clarified that the call was "direct and candid," adding:

"President Trump clearly expressed his respect for Canada’s sovereignty and his country’s readiness for dialogue after the elections. I appreciate this, despite the clear disagreements between us on certain issues."

Attempt to de-escalate trade tensions?

Carney's statements come one day after Trump announced that he "agrees with Carney on many things," and that he intends to meet with him after the conclusion of the federal elections in Canada, sparking speculation about the possibility of easing tensions between the two sides.

The Trump administration had recently imposed a 25% tariff on cars not manufactured in the United States, a move that Carney described as "directly targeting the Canadian economy," and he pledged to confront it by strengthening local manufacturing.

Carney: Differences do not prevent dialogue

In his remarks, Carney emphasized that Canada "will always defend its economic and sovereign interests," but stressed the importance of keeping channels of dialogue open, adding:

"Even amid tensions, constructive dialogue with international partners remains a key tool to safeguard Canadian interests."

The electoral context

These developments come amid the federal election race in Canada, where relations with the United States and economic and trade challenges have become key focal points in the election campaigns of various parties, especially with the growing influence of U.S. policy on domestic Canadian affairs.