Next Canadian Prime Minister: "Will Meet Trump if There are Trade Cooperation Talks"

# Canada's Incoming Prime Minister Mark Carney Prepared to Meet Trump if Trade and Sovereignty Respected Canada's incoming Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated his willingness to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, provided that Trump respects Canada’s sovereignty and is open to discussing trade cooperation. According to AP News, Carney, who is officially set to assume office on the 14th (local time), made his remarks to reporters on the 12th during a visit to a steel plant in Hamilton, Ontario. "At the appropriate time and in a context where Canada’s sovereignty is respected, and a comprehensive approach to trade collaboration is explored, I am prepared to engage in discussions with President Trump," Carney stated. He emphasized that rejuvenating the world’s most powerful economic and security partnership would benefit workers in both countries, adding, "This is entirely achievable." Speaking on the newly imposed U.S. tariffs, Carney criticized the measures, saying, "Today is a difficult day for Canada and our industries. The tariff actions taken are unjustifiable." He further added, "While we believe in open borders and free and fair trade, we are compelled to respond." In response to the U.S. imposing a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports starting on the 12th, Canada is set to implement retaliatory tariffs worth 29.8 billion Canadian dollars (approximately $30.1 billion) on the 13th. The affected goods will include not only steel and aluminum products but also U.S.-made items such as computers, sports equipment, and water heaters worth 14.2 billion Canadian dollars. This measure follows Canada’s decision on the 4th to introduce 30 billion Canadian dollars (approximately $30.3 billion) in retaliatory tariffs, also at a 25% rate, in response to another tariff imposed by Trump. President Trump continues to assert that Canada should become the 51st state of the United States, exerting economic pressure to advance this agenda. On the 11th, he claimed that the border between the two nations is merely an "imaginary line." Carney was elected leader of the Liberal Party on the 9th with an overwhelming support rate exceeding 85% and is set to succeed Justin Trudeau, who has led Canada for nine years. As a former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, Carney has signaled his readiness to take a strong stance against President Trump. In his victory speech, Carney directly criticized Trump, stating, "Imposing unjustifiable tariffs on everything we make and sell."