A brief, yet significant, encounter unfolded in Washington, D.C. on Friday as Prime Minister Mark Carney met with U.S. President Donald Trump. The meeting, described as “constructive” by the Prime Minister’s office, occurred amidst the backdrop of the FIFA World Cup draw, a joint event hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Carney’s arrival in the U.S. capital coincided with that of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, both leaders present for the highly anticipated draw at the Kennedy Centre. The event determined the groupings for this summer’s global football tournament, a spectacle drawing international attention.
President Trump, addressing reporters, indicated a positive tone regarding his relationships with both Carney and Sheinbaum. He stated they were “getting along very well,” hinting at forthcoming discussions on critical issues like immigration and trade.
The meeting between Trump and Carney was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s office just the day prior, scheduled as a concise exchange before Carney’s planned discussion with President Sheinbaum. The focus, according to a statement, was on continuing collaboration regarding the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
This encounter marks the first direct interaction between the two leaders since a recent controversy surrounding a political advertisement from Ontario. The ad, referencing Ronald Reagan and tariffs, had prompted Trump to suspend trade talks and publicly express reluctance to meet with Carney again.
Despite the previous tension, the advertisement was eventually withdrawn, paving the way for Friday’s meeting. However, it occurred as all three nations prepare for a formal review of CUSMA, a trade agreement Trump has previously expressed a desire to renegotiate.
The agenda for the brief meeting remained undisclosed, though the stakes were undeniably high. Later that afternoon, Carney participated in a World Cup celebration at the Canadian embassy and a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony before departing for Ottawa.
The meeting, though short, represented a crucial opportunity to re-establish dialogue and address pressing economic concerns between the three nations, all while the world watched the unfolding drama of the World Cup draw.
