Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Wednesday that he shared “a meeting of minds” with U.S. President Donald Trump during recent discussions on the future of the steel and aluminum industries — sectors still facing significant American tariffs.
Carney met Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday for trade talks that officials later described as productive.
While no immediate breakthroughs were announced, both sides reportedly agreed that further negotiations were necessary to find a solution to the tariffs affecting Canadian steel, aluminum, and automotive exports.
Officials in Ottawa said that Carney and Trump tasked their teams with exploring potential agreements across key industries in the coming weeks.
Progress on Steel, Aluminum, and Energy Cooperation
Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, Carney outlined the progress made during the White House meeting, noting that the two leaders had identified shared priorities in several areas.
“The President … and myself had a meeting of minds yesterday with respect to the future of the steel sector, the aluminum sector, energy sector cooperation, which is why our teams are negotiating the terms of those deals,” Carney said.
He added that both sides were also “working … on the modalities of an auto agreement” — signaling a broader framework of discussions that could extend beyond metals into automotive trade and energy collaboration.
Canadian officials emphasized that these negotiations are ongoing and that the government’s goal is to secure fair access for Canadian producers to U.S. markets while maintaining strong domestic industry protections.
Political Pressure at Home
Despite what Carney described as constructive dialogue with Washington, opposition leaders in Ottawa sharply criticized his approach.
They accused the prime minister of abandoning the tough stance he had promised during his successful election campaign earlier this year, where he had pledged to “stand up to Trump” and defend Canadian trade interests.
“Canadians do remember the last election where that prime minister promised to put elbows up … it was the promise that he ran on. Now those elbows have come down,” said official opposition leader Pierre Poilievre during a heated session in Parliament.
Poilievre’s comments reflect growing frustration among some Canadians who believe Carney’s government may be conceding too much in negotiations, particularly as the tariffs continue to pressure Canadian manufacturers and threaten jobs.
Economic Stakes for Both Sides
The U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum have been a major source of tension between the two countries, disrupting supply chains and adding costs for both industries.
Analysts say that a resolution could bring significant relief to North American manufacturers, particularly in the auto sector, where integrated production lines rely heavily on cross-border trade.
Energy cooperation was also a key topic during the Carney-Trump meeting, as both countries seek to strengthen energy security and explore opportunities for cleaner technologies.
The Canadian government hopes that progress in energy and industrial collaboration could help offset trade friction in other areas.
Outlook for Upcoming Negotiations
Officials from both sides are expected to meet again in the coming weeks to discuss potential frameworks for lifting or easing tariffs, as well as establishing longer-term agreements on steel, aluminum, and automotive products.
While optimism remains cautious, Carney’s remarks suggest that there is now political will on both sides to find common ground — a shift from the more combative tone seen earlier in the trade dispute.
Still, Carney faces domestic political risks if the talks fail to deliver tangible results for Canadian industries.
For now, both Ottawa and Washington appear committed to continuing dialogue, hoping that their “meeting of minds” can eventually translate into a concrete trade agreement that benefits both economies.
