Carney says he remains in touch with Trump, Canada still ready for fair trade deal

This combination of pictures shows US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Carney cut off trade talks last month, saying the US offer was unacceptable. — AFP pic

First Published: Friday, 11 Sep 2026 9:25 AM MYT

CALGARY, Sept 11 — Prime Minister Mark Carney said yesterday that he had spoken to US President Donald Trump “in recent days” and Ottawa remains ready to reach a “fair” trade deal with Washington, despite escalating economic tensions.

The once ironclad trading partnership between the North American neighbors has sustained unprecedented blows since Trump returned to office last year.

Carney cut off trade talks last month, saying the US offer was unacceptable, triggering angry responses from Trump, including punishing new tariffs and prompting Canadian retaliation.

But Carney said the pair remain in touch and that “Canada is always ready to strike a fair deal.”

“We believe there is a mutually beneficial deal for Canada and the United States,” the prime minister told reporters in the western city of Calgary, where he was hosting Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

“I speak regularly to the president, President Trump. I’ve spoken to him in recent days,” Carney said.

Since the talks broke down last month, Trump has resumed taunting Canada and mocking its leadership, posting a generated image on social media of him towering over Carney and calling him “governor,” with both dressed in hockey gear.

Carney has said he has no interest in escalating the conflict, but insists he will not agree to anything that doesn’t serve Canada’s economic interests. — AFP