Prime Minister Mark Carney sidestepped inquiries regarding his last conversation with his U.S. counterpart on Sunday, responding with “who cares?” when questioned by the media.
Nevertheless, a representative for Carney announced on Monday that he is contemplating a visit to Washington next week to participate in the draw for the FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, the U.S., and Mexico in 2026.
This draw is scheduled to occur at the Kennedy Centre, a performing arts venue now under the personal oversight of U.S. President Donald Trump, and will establish the group-stage matchups for the prestigious soccer event.
Trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. collapsed unexpectedly last month after Trump criticized Canada due to Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s anti-tariff advertisement campaign that referenced Ronald Reagan.
While addressing the media in Johannesburg following his trip to the Middle East and Africa aimed at strengthening trade relationships and engaging with G20 leaders, Carney mentioned that he has been focused recently on developing a federal budget and attracting investment to Canada.
Carney and his administration have attempted to distance themselves from Trump following his outburst against Canada, seeking to cultivate closer relationships with oil-rich Gulf nations and pursuing a trade agreement with India.
<p"We've had discussions. I've been occupied," Carney remarked when asked about communicating with Trump. "He has other priorities, and we will reconnect when it's suitable."
When pressed again about the timing of his last chat with Trump, Carney replied: “Who cares? It’s a minor detail. I spoke with him. I’ll talk to him again when it’s significant.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney seemed to brush off questions about when he last spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump, at one point saying, ‘Who cares?’ while stressing there’s no ‘burning’ issue that requires a call. This comes after Trump abruptly ended U.S.-Canada trade talks following a controversial anti-tariff ad by Ontario.
Conservative members quickly seized upon that remark on Monday, claiming Carney’s nonchalant response has left industries and workers affected by tariffs without support.
Leader Pierre Poilievre stated that Carney was elected under the premise that he was the best equipped to tackle the “existential threat” posed by American tariffs, yet he has since “backed down and capitulated,” failing to secure any relief from tariffs.
Carney previously exhibited a confrontational stance towards the U.S. while campaigning for votes, but now, according to Poilievre, “his elbows are missing.”
“He suggests there are no significant matters to discuss. In fact, he even said, ‘who cares.’ We care about the workers who have lost their jobs and can’t afford their mortgage payments. Why doesn’t he care?” Poilievre stated during question time.
The Conservatives also released a formal statement to the press expressing that “Carney’s dismissive demeanor in South Africa reflects his performance for Canadians. The prime minister’s tenure has been characterized by a series of unilateral concessions without tangible results in return.”
Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who was overseeing the trade discussions before they faltered, dismissed Poilievre’s remarks as nonsense.
“Certainly the prime minister is concerned about the welfare of workers and industries,” LeBlanc asserted.
“Just because the Leader of the Opposition keeps reiterating the same point does not make it true,” he added.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, speaking during question period on Monday, addresses Prime Minister Mark Carney saying ‘who cares’ when he was asked over the weekend about when he last spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump. Minister of Canada-U.S. Trade Dominic LeBlanc responded by saying the government will continue to negotiate a deal with the United States.
The reality remains that tariff discussions are stalled and the relationship between the two nations is strained.
While the Carney-Trump relationship initially began positively earlier this year, their latest public exchange involved the prime minister apologizing to the president for Ontario’s Reagan advertisement. “He accepted the apology when I spoke with him,” Carney stated on Sunday.
Ontario’s representative in Washington, D.C., David Paterson, mentioned that although formal negotiations have stalled, outreach efforts persist in the U.S. capital, with an increased emphasis on strengthening connections with Congress.
The Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) will undergo a review next year, and any attempt by Trump to dissolve this agreement would require approval from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, which are responsible for endorsing international treaties.
Paterson noted that Canadian negotiators should feel encouraged by the feedback U.S. businesses have shared with the Trump administration regarding CUSMA, with most written submissions urging officials to maintain the agreement for the benefit of the American economy.
-
Ford’s anti-Trump rhetoric came up repeatedly in trade negotiations: sources
-
Trade talks with Trump ‘not yet revived’ since anti-tariff ad apology: Carney
New Hampshire Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who attended the Halifax International Security Forum over the weekend, emphasized to CBC News the necessity of resuming tariff discussions promptly, indicating that the onus is on Trump to facilitate that process.
Shaheen, along with a bipartisan coalition of U.S. senators, successfully passed legislation in the Senate aimed at halting some of Trump’s tariffs on Canadian products, although this effort faltered when the Republican-controlled House did not approve a similar measure.
While previous attempts to legislatively counter Trump have not succeeded, a pending Supreme Court ruling that could potentially nullify the tariffs, along with the adverse effects they are causing, may compel Trump to return to the negotiating table, she noted in an interview with CBC News Network’s Rosemary Barton Live.
Chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton speaks with U.S. Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen about trade tensions with Canada and her hopes for when negotiations will resume. Plus, Ontario’s representative in Washington, David Paterson, talks about what he is hearing from his conversations in the U.S. and his reaction to the highly reported exchange he had with U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra.
Trump’s approval ratings have declined, particularly among independent voters, with many attributing their disappointment to his tariff policies.
“Every business I’ve visited in New Hampshire has been affected by the tariffs,” Shaheen remarked. “The primary concern I hear from my constituents is the rising cost of living and how tariffs have impacted grocery prices.”
“The United States and Canada share one of the most complementary trading relationships—one of the strongest friendships between any two nations in history,” she added. “We’ve missed you all this year and we hope you will return to the United States.”
