Canadian officials lower expectations around trade developments ahead of Mark Carney’s brief visit to D.C.
Social Sharing
When Prime Minister Mark Carney touches down in Washington on Friday morning, Canadian officials say this brief visit is all about celebrating FIFA soccer. Really, they insist.
Expectations for any sort of breakthrough that could see trade talks with the U.S. resume are low. At best, it seems there’s hope the prime minister might be able to have a warm moment or two with U.S. President Donald Trump and nudge things in a more positive direction.
CBC News spoke with two senior Canadian government officials with direct knowledge of the trip and the Prime Minister’s plans. Both have been granted anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.
Carney will represent Canada at the FIFA World Cup Final Draw Ceremony on Friday — a highly anticipated and complicated event that will determine matches, schedules and locations for next year’s tournament.
- Explainer: How does FIFA divide 48-team Men’s World Cup field in groups?
Standing alongside Carney during this two hour spectacle at the Kennedy Center will be his tournament co-hosts: U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
There is no understating the importance of this draw, and this tournament itself, which is considered one of the most important sporting events on the planet.
At the same time, it will be hard to overlook the political tensions of this moment.
Political tensions high ahead of CUSMA review
Trump has hit his trading partners with punishing tariffs.
He’s also expected to try to squeeze concessions out of both Canada and Mexico during the upcoming review — and likely renegotiation — of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
- U.S. producers warn Trump’s tariffs jeopardize their access to Canada, Mexico
- U.S. industry groups strongly back renewing CUSMA
On Wednesday, he casually floated the idea of leaving the three way trade agreement during an event in the Oval Office.
“And we’ll either let it expire, we’ll maybe work out another deal with Mexico and Canada,” he said as he claimed his trading partners take advantage of the U.S.
Trump claims Canada, Mexico have taken advantage of the U.S. | Hanomansing Tonight
Tensions with Canada remain particularly difficult. Trump called off trade talks in October, after he was angered by an anti-tariff TV ad run by the province of Ontario.
One source tells CBC News that there’s an expectation Carney and Trump will have a quick moment to chat privately, though the source cautioned nothing is guaranteed.
The second source said that if there is an appropriate opportunity to bring up trade, Carney will likely take it, but emphasized this is an event to celebrate the upcoming tournament.
- Carney weighing D.C. trip next week after dismissing questions about speaking to Trump
- Canada, Mexico agree to deepen ties in face of Trump's turbulent 2nd term
“Maybe we’ll see an outcome that will see the talks kickstarted … but frankly, I don’t expect that,” said Brian Clow, who led the Canada-U.S. relations file when he was the deputy chief of staff to former prime minister Justin Trudeau.
Even if there’s little hope for a breakthrough, Clow says Carney should address the trade tensions with Trump.
“Maybe you go in there with some sort of small offer, a suggestion, something to get the president’s attention and get him to turn around to staff and say ‘OK, let’s get back to the table with the Canadians,’ ” Clow said.
Carney won’t attend public CUSMA hearings
Carney’s visit also happens to coincide with what will be the third and final day of public consultation hearings about CUSMA, or USMCA as it’s known in the U.S.
Dozens of stakeholders are testifying before Trump administration officials in Washington to share their feedback about the deal and offer any suggestions moving forward.
- AnalysisDeal or no deal, Mark Carney has to manage a new relationship with the United States
Carney will be steering clear of those hearings — after he attends the FIFA draw, he’s expected to attend more FIFA related celebrations at the Canadian Embassy and participate in a Christmas tree lighting.
Carney says he'll see Trump in Washington during FIFA World Cup draw
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Politics
Katie Simpson is a foreign correspondent with CBC News based in Washington. Prior to joining the team in D.C., she spent six years covering Parliament Hill in Ottawa and nearly a decade covering local and provincial issues in Toronto.
- Follow @CBCKatie on Twitter
- More from Katie Simpson