Canada says it expects some tariff relief from US

The two leaders spoke Monday, but neither Carney nor his office made the call public until Wednesday. However, the conversation was somewhat fruitful, the prime minister told reporters as he was heading into a meeting with his Cabinet.

“We are expecting agreements, small agreements, in some of the strategic sectors,” Carney said in a Canadian Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) video. “We will see. It’s not a guarantee.”

He was referring to the vehicle, steel and aluminum sectors, which have been battered by US tariffs.

Carney characterized his talk with Trump as “good,” but tariffs were not the only topic, as they also broached geopolitics and labor.

"We spoke at length on a wide range of issues, including on trade, but (also) geopolitical, other issues, labor issues, et cetera," he said.

Carney and his Cabinet were meeting in the Greater Toronto Area.

Senior Cabinet ministers have also journeyed back between the two countries to lobby American lawmakers to remove or modify the tariffs.

The latest is Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet Michael Sabia, who is in Washington to meet with senior American officials, including members of the Trump administration.

Carney said there will be more such trips.

"Don't expect immediate white smoke on one of these strategic sectors. But that's the type of conversation that we're having and will continue to have,” he said.