Canadian Prime Minister Carney Reports Constructive Talk with Trump on Trade Days Before US Midterms

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on 1 November 2026 that he held a constructive conversation with US President Donald Trump about the future of bilateral trade. Carney wrote on social media that the talk built on recent discussions about the outlines of a deal that would create jobs, lower costs for families, and protect Canada’s languages, culture, and sovereignty. He added that teams would now work in the coming weeks to deliver that outcome.

The statement marks a shift from August, when Canada suspended negotiations after rejecting US demands that Carney said threatened Canadian sovereignty, French-language protections, and the auto industry. Trump then imposed 50 percent tariffs on roughly 20 billion dollars in Canadian goods. Canada matched the tariffs. Talks resumed later but remained uneven. As recently as 28 October, Carney said the two sides were not yet in a position to reach an agreement before the US midterm elections on 3 November.

Sticking points include relief from US tariffs on Canadian steel and automobiles. Canada has sought lower auto tariffs. The US has pushed for greater access to Canadian dairy and alcohol markets. No specific terms of a potential agreement have been released. A senior Canadian source told CBC that formal negotiations are set to begin again and that autos remain a key issue. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc have spoken regularly in recent weeks.

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said the US was close to a deal and that talks were gathering steam. Trump has predicted at rallies that the dispute would be settled soon. Carney has insisted that any progress reflects the United States moving closer to Canada’s position. He has also noted that he cannot be sure Trump would honor a new agreement, referring to earlier concerns that Washington’s signature was sometimes written in pencil.

The midterm elections are two days away. Republican performance in border states with strong trade links to Canada is one factor in the timing of the renewed outreach. Canada has also pursued other trade agreements, including one with the United Arab Emirates completed in 47 days. The current CUSMA framework remains in place, but sector-specific tariffs have disrupted auto parts, steel, and other flows.

Carney’s message came on the same day as other international developments, including the end of a local ceasefire in Ukraine’s Kherson region and the final day of campaigning in the US. No timeline for a finished agreement has been set. Negotiators are expected to continue work after the midterms. Both sides have described the latest exchange as positive without releasing details of concessions.