US, Canada leaders talk world peace, trade, tariffs, drugs

TRENTON, Canada

Trade, tariffs and world conflicts were top issues in discussion by the leaders of Canada and the US on Tuesday in Washington.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Washington to try to hammer out concessions on tariffs that he maintains are hurting both countries.

But words of praise between Carney and US President Donald Trump were high on the list, as well.

Trump lavished compliments on Canada and Carney, while the latter thanked the president for his efforts in helping secure the border between the two countries, thereby cutting the flow of the deadly drug fentanyl into the US.

The discussion in the Oval Office was dominated by Trump as reporters targeted him with questions, while Carney remained basically mute except for a few words of praise on the “transformative” president on trade.

“We are the second-largest trading partner (of the US),” Carney said, adding that trade between the two countries is expected to grow to $8 trillion over the next five years.

Trump acknowledged that Canada and the US were competitors in some markets, including vehicle manufacturing -- both want automobiles built in their respective countries.

Still, Trump said a trade deal, while complicated, will benefit Canadians.

“I think they will be very happy,” he said.

Carney thanked Trump for his efforts to end the Russian-Ukraine war and for introducing a 20-point ceasefire deal last week between Israel and Hamas

The president repeated his refrain that all countries have taken advantage of America for decades and that the tariffs initiated by him were “fair.”

As for border issues, the Canadian government has often stated that only about 1 percent of fentanyl goes into the S. from Canada, while Trump has said time and again that the flow into the US is much higher.

When the issue was raised by a reporter, Carney chimed in with a diplomatic response.

“Any amount is too much,” said Carney. “It is less than 1 percent. It is still too much.”

Trump also praised Canada for greatly reducing the number of illegal immigrants entering the US via Canada.