Hopes Rise for Canada-U.S. Trade Deal Following Trump-Carney Call

The Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters group has welcomed the recent phone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney regarding a potential trade deal between Canada and the United States.

Industry group CEO Dennis Darby said in an interview that tariffs imposed since August have not only hurt small and medium-sized Canadian businesses but have also disrupted supply chains in the United States.

According to reports, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is playing a key behind-the-scenes role in the latest negotiations under the Trump administration. Lutnick was also blamed for derailing the previous round of trade talks.

Canadian industry leaders are hopeful that negotiators from both countries will find a concrete way to resolve the trade dispute in the coming weeks.

The main points of disagreement between the two countries remain tariffs on steel, aluminum, lumber and automobiles.