‘Very constructive’: Canadian PM Mark Carney on phone call with Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held a phone conversation on Friday, March 28, amid rising tensions over tariffs and trade between the two neighbours. This crucial interaction came after Carney stated that the era of strong economic, security and military ties between Canada and the US was ‘over.’In a statement posted on X, Carney shared details of the conversation, describing it as ‘very constructive.’ The readout of the conversation released by the prime minister’s office read, “Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, spoke with the President of the United States, Donald J Trump. The Prime Minister and the President had a very constructive conversation about the relationship between our two countries.”
After the election, the two decided to begin comprehensive negotiations on a new economic and security relationship. “In the interim, the leaders agreed that conversations between the Minister of International Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada, Dominic LeBlanc, and the United States Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, will intensify to address immediate concerns,” it added.

This morning I spoke with President Trump: pic.twitter.com/BBsEZeF13C

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) March 28, 2025

The Prime Minister added he would be “working hard for the next month to earn the right to represent Canada in those discussions”. Carney also stated that his government would impose retaliatory tariffs “to protect Canadian workers and the economy” after the US announcement of additional trade actions on April 2, 2025.Trump also took to Truth Socialdescribing the call as ‘extremely productive’ and announcing that both leaders agreed on many critical decisions. The President said they will meet after Canada’s upcoming election to work on elements of politics, business and other factors that will benefit both countries.

“I just finished speaking with Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada. It was an extremely productive call; we agreed on many things and will meet immediately after Canada’s upcoming Election to work on elements of politics, business, and all other factors that will end up being great for both the United States of America and Canada. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he said.

Earlier, on Thursday, after an urgent meeting with a cabinet committee on Canada-US relations, he said, “The old relationship we had with the United States, based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation, is over. What exactly the United States does next is unclear. But, what is clear is that we as Canadians have agency, we have power. We are masters in our own home.”

The prime minister, who replaced Justin Trudeau two weeks ago, has called for an election on April 28, citing the need for a strong mandate to deal with the threat posed by Trump.