Carney and Trump: a collision avoided, except for an unpleasant desire or two

Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada arrived at the White House on Tuesday with Some clear objectives: to withdraw the warmth from his first meetings with President Trump, to prevent references in Canada from becoming a 51st state and to start talks on steel and aluminum prices.

In other words, to return to the old days, when Canada and the United States have been the tightest of defense and intelligence allies, and have managed to keep their disputes over everything, from dairy wood products to the cars to a separate track.

He succeeded in part. Trump has no longer thought about how Canada is much better in the United States, although he has referred to thought when he discussed how to eliminate car rates. Trump abused the way the two countries were in “natural conflict” and described Mr. Carney, a former Central Bank chief for England and Canada, like a “nice man” who could be “very mean”.

However, even Mr. Trump seemed to recognize that he had a lot of repair work to do. Seeming to recognize that his reputation north of the border is toxic, he told journalists that “the people of Canada will love us again”, even if certain prices imposed by the Americans remained in place – which he insisted.

At the end of a meeting and a working lunch, Canadian officials insisted that they were satisfied with the modified tenor of the meeting, and said they were now expecting to progress on steel, aluminum and energy samples, which vary up to 50%. While they did not leave with anything concrete, beyond a commitment to negotiate, it is the change of tone, rather than price rates, which they had sought the most.

“I have seen substantial progress today,” said Dominic Leblanc, Minister of Canada in charge of relations with the United States, to journalists after meetings, speaking in French. “I think we have a momentum that we did not have when we woke up this morning.”

He added that the two leaders had ordered their officials to conclude an agreement on aluminum and steel prices “as soon as possible”. However, he refused to offer an estimate of time. Trump has repeatedly referred to steel and aluminum, but has given no suspicion of his flexibility in reducing the rate – or what he would require in return.

Carney came in power in April following a campaign during which he described himself as a hard line, the best candidate most difficult to face Mr. Trump. He has since spoken to start reducing Canada’s tight dependence on the United States.

Unlike many other nations, Canada has not been able to conclude a trade agreement with Trump, and this had pressure on Mr. Carney to try to win at least a little price at the meeting.

Trump told journalists before the start of the meeting that Canada’s inability to conclude an agreement was a consequence of the proximity of the two markets.

“We have natural conflicts,” said Trump. “We also have mutual love.”

He added: “We compete for the same companies, that’s the problem.”

Trump has imposed a general 35% tariff on Canadian exports based on his complaint, which is refuted by data, according to which Canada is an important source of migrants and fentanyl for the United States.

This broad price has an important exemption. He excludes products that qualify as North American under the free trade agreement signed by Canada, the United States and Mexico during Mr. Trump’s first term, which represents the majority of Canadian exports.

But Mr. Trump imposed prices on several key exports from Canada – Automobiles, Steel, Aluminum and, more recently, flexible wood – qualifying national security measures.

These prices have already had significant effects. General Motors plans to reduce a quarter of work in its van factory in Oshawa, Ontario, compromising around 2,000 jobs. In the same province, Stellantis suspended the overhaul of a Brampton factory to produce a new model of jeep, leaving the idle of the plant.

Canada has reserved $ 10 billion Canadian dollars, or $ 7.1 billion, loaks for large steel and aluminum companies affected by American prices.

Leblanc said the Prime Minister reminded Trump that Canada had imported as many cars made in the United States it had sent there, as well as the double-way steel flow.

The change of tone by a president who previously rejected the viability of Canada as a nation may have come in part because of Mr. Carney’s recent concessions.

He raised most of the reciprocal rates that Canada had placed on the goods of the United States, with the exception of those applied to the same products covered by Mr. Trump’s national security rates.

Carney also canceled a tax on American technological companies he had inherited from the previous government. Trump had canceled negotiations with Canada due to the tax.

One of Mr. Carney’s main objectives is to maintain and improve the free trade agreement known as the Mexico Canada US Agreement. He presents himself for a criticism scheduled for next year.

Before the meeting, Trump was uncertain in his future form, saying that he did not care if he was renegotiated or if the United States has concluded separate agreements with his two neighbors.

While Mr. Trump’s calls to the annexation of Canada and his prices have angry many Canadians and prompted the boycott of American products and went to the United States, Carney congratulated his host before the meeting and called him “transformer president”.