The Tarriff Hype.

[Ron in Regina]

In response to Trump saying “we don’t need anything that Canada has,” U.S. Ambassador Hoekstra said there’s a “tremendous amount of things” America needs, citing potash used to produce fertilizer as an example.

“We need potash” Hoekstra said, “because there’s not lots of other places that you can get it.”

Historically, the U.S. President and Canadian Prime Minister meet in person an average of 2 to 4 times a year. Because of the deeply integrated bilateral relationship, these meetings range from formal state visits to informal pull-asides at recurring international summits.
While the annual average sits comfortably around two to four, the frequency fluctuates based on personal chemistry, shifting global events, or intense trade negotiations. During times of crisis or massive legislative overhauls (such as the NAFTA to USMCA renegotiations), in-person summits and direct diplomatic contact increase significantly.

The formal joint review and potential renewal deadline for the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA/USMCA/NAFTA/SMEGMA/LMNOP) is July 1, 2026, though the July 1 date is not a termination "cliff". CUSMA remains in legal force and will not automatically expire, as its base term runs until July 1, 2036…but it is significant, and the auto sector is likely to be central in some of those trade talks.

Carney arrived at the summit in France with no confirmed bilateral meeting with Trump. The G7 meeting marks the first time the prime minister and the president have been in the same room together this year.

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Chief Trade Negotiator Janice Charette met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of the summit to build on the work that was accomplished during their meeting with Greer in Washington on June 2. When asked whether Greer considers Canada’s EV deal with China a U.S. trade irritant, the minister said “he hasn’t described that to me in those, in those contexts” adding that the U.S. is very public about their trade irritants with Canada…be they real or fictitious.

Ahead of the G7 summit, Carney downplayed bringing up any potential issues of trade with the U.S. president, adding that the leaders’ focus would be primarily on geopolitical events.

Hot mic at G7 summit catches Carney defending Chinese EV deal to Trump — National Post

'...it's a cap... I thought you'd actually like that,' said Carney

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