Carney has ‘productive’ phone call with Trump amid bilateral tensions

By Canadian Press on August 21, 2025.

WASHINGTON — Prime Minister Mark Carney had a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump today.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office calls the call “productive and wide-ranging” and said the leaders discussed current trade challenges, opportunities and shared priorities in a new economic and security relationship.

It said Trump and Carney also discussed how to support long-term peace and security for Ukraine and Europe.

Earlier this month, Trump increased tariffs on Canada to 35 per cent with the White House saying Ottawa did not do enough to curb the flow of fentanyl.

Those tariffs do not apply to goods compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade.

Canada is also being hammered by tariffs on steel, aluminum, copper and automobiles.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 21, 2025.

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press