Trump set to talk trade with Canada in Tuesday meeting

By Brett Rowland
The Center Square

President Donald Trump is set to talk trade with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday during a working meeting in Washington D.C.

The two neighboring countries remain at odds over trade policy amid Trump’s effort to make the global economy better for U.S. businesses.

Carney will travel to Washington, D.C., on Monday evening ahead of a working visit and meeting with Trump on Tuesday.

“Canada and the U.S. each launched consultations last month that will inform preparations for the first joint review of [Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement],” Carney’s office said in a statement. “The Prime Minister’s working visit will focus on shared priorities in a new economic and security relationship between Canada and the U.S.”

Carney’s office said the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement comprises the world’s second-largest free trade region, jointly accounting for almost a third of gross domestic product, a measure of economic output. Carney’s office also said Canada has the lowest average tariff rate of any American trading partner, with 85% of Canada’s trade with the U.S. being tariff-free.

“I’m sure trade will be a topic of discussion tomorrow,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a news briefing on Monday at the White House.

The Aluminium Association of Canada told Canadian media outlets that it doesn’t expect Carney to return from the meeting with a deal to lower aluminium tariffs.

The group was frustrated by the 50% tariffs Trump slapped on all U.S. aluminium imports in June. The Aluminium Association of Canada called it a misguided measure that threatens the security of North America’s integrated supply chain.

“A 50% tariff on Canadian aluminium will suppress demand across the continent – whether the metal is produced in Canada or the U.S.,” Jean Simard, president and CEO of the Aluminium Association of Canada, said at the time. “It will impact workers on both sides of the border and disrupt key sectors including defense, construction and automotive.”

The Aluminium Association of Canada said at a rate of $1,349.50 per metric ton, “the tariff effectively makes Canadian exports to the U.S. economically unviable.”

“While Canada remains committed to serving its U.S. customers, the industry may be forced to diversify trade toward the European Union,” the group noted in June.

The Virginia-based Aluminum Association also said the U.S. tariffs are too high.

Aluminum Association President & CEO Charles Johnson wants relief from the high tariffs.

“Re-establishing a more level playing field for domestic producers is critical but a Section 232 tariff of 50% threatens to undermine the very industry the administration aims to support,” Johnson said in a statement in June. “The Aluminum Association, which represents the full industry supply chain and 70% of domestic production, urges the administration to reconsider today’s decision given the negative impact it will have on manufacturers.”

The U.S.-based group said in August that it wants “relief from universal 50% aluminum tariffs and secure, reliable access to affordable primary and secondary metal that the industry needs to grow.”

Canadian politician Pierre Poilievre said he wanted to see progress.

“Hoping Prime Minister Carney will keep his promise and ‘negotiate a win’ with President Trump to end the U.S. tariffs in their Tuesday meeting,” Poilievre wrote on X. “U.S. tariffs on Canada have doubled since Mr. Carney took office promising to ‘negotiate a win’ by July 21st. No word on where the Prime Minister’s elbows have gone after he backed down again and again with nothing to show for it.”