Trump calls Canada’s PM amid trade tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for the first time amid trade tensions.

U.S. President Donald Trump described his phone call with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as “extremely productive,” amid ongoing trade tensions between the two countries.

The call, which took place on Friday at the request of the White House, was the first time the two leaders had spoken since Carney became prime minister on March 14.

Trump said he hoped “to end up with a very good relationship with Canada,” a country long considered one of the United States’ closest allies and largest trading partners. He added that the two leaders would meet immediately after Canada’s upcoming elections on April 28 to discuss politics, business, and other matters.

Although the U.S. and Canada have traditionally maintained strong ties, relations deteriorated quickly after Trump took office in January.

Carney told reporters that Trump had shown respect for Canada’s sovereignty during the conversation. Trump has previously referred to Canada as a “51st U.S. state” and has even talked about annexing it—remarks that Carney has firmly opposed.

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