Trump Hosts Carney Amidst Escalating Trade Tensions

President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held their first in-person meeting at the White House amid heightened tensions over trade, following the U.S. imposition of 25% tariffs on Canadian goods and subsequent Canadian retaliatory measures. During a tense press conference, both leaders acknowledged recent frictions but emphasized opportunities for cooperation, referencing ongoing collaboration through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Trump congratulated Carney on his recent election victory, while Carney highlighted the importance of strong U.S.-Canada relations and expressed a willingness to address difficult issues. The meeting was seen as a pivotal moment to reset relations after months of escalating disputes, with both sides signaling a desire to find common ground despite unresolved disagreements over trade and sovereignty. Analysts noted Carney's strategy would involve balancing assertiveness with diplomacy to protect Canadian interests. Ongoing trade negotiations and the broader context of reciprocal tariffs remained a central focus of the discussions.