Trump says trade deal with Canada achievable, he and Carney have ‘different concepts’

KAANASKISKIS — President Donald Trump said Monday on the sidelines of the G7 summit that his main focus is on trade and that he believes a trade deal with Canada is possible.

“I think our main focus is going to be trade and trade with Canada, and I’m confident we can get something done,” Trump told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

The two met privately Monday morning after weeks of calls and text messages to address economic differences over Trump’s trade tariffs.

Trump said at a news conference alongside Carney that the U.S. and Canada have “different views” on a potential deal.

“I’m in favor of tariffs because they’re simple, fast and accurate. Mark has a more complex view, but his view is good.”

Carney welcomed Trump and congratulated him on his 79th birthday, adding:
"This summit marks the 50th anniversary of the G7, and this group is meaningless without American leadership."

Trump then attacked Barack Obama and Justin Trudeau in front of reporters, blaming them for Russia's expulsion from the G8 in 2014, while Stephen Harper was Canadian Prime Minister at the time. Trump said that if Russia had stayed in the group at that time, there probably wouldn't be a war in Ukraine now.

While Trump and Trudeau had tense relations during Trudeau's prime ministership, Trump said he has a "very good relationship" with Mark Carney.

The war in Ukraine is one of Canada's top priorities at the summit, and Carney has also invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The summit officially began on Monday, with its first working session devoted to examining the global economic outlook.

Carney was also scheduled to meet with the president of the European Council, the president of the European Commission, and the leaders of Japan, France, and Italy.

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