Trump refuses to lower tariffs on Canada during meeting with prime minister
- President Donald Trump asserted that he wouldn’t reduce tariffs on Canadian goods during a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney.
- Trump expressed grievances about the U.S.-Canada trade relationship, claiming it was unfair to the United States.
- Mark Carney emphasized that Canada is not for sale and encouraged negotiations for lower tariffs despite the president's concerns.
On May 6, 2025, President Donald Trump held an Oval Office meeting with Canada's newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney. During this meeting, Trump firmly stated that there was nothing Carney could say to convince him to reduce tariffs on Canadian goods, declaring, 'Just the way it is.' Trump acknowledged that Canada had treated the United States unfairly and expressed a desire to stress American self-sufficiency in resources, despite the longstanding economic ties between the two nations. He claimed without evidence that America subsidizes Canada by $200 billion annually, which official statistics contradict, indicating a goods and services trade deficit of only $35.7 billion with Canada for 2024. Despite these tensions, Carney asserted that Canada is not for sale and pushed for negotiations regarding tariff reductions, emphasizing the benefits of free trade for both countries. Trump appeared to maintain a cordial relationship, remarking that Canada is America's largest client and suggesting that negotiations could be possible over time. Both leaders left the meeting agreeing that significant changes would not come immediately, indicating that discussions regarding trade relations would require more time and consideration.