Carney Engages Trump as Trade Talks Stumble During FIFA Draw

On Friday, Prime Minister Mark Carney will briefly engage with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, shortly after Trump hinted at a possible U.S. exit from the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA).

This encounter will occur at the FIFA World Cup draw hosted at Washington's John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Additionally, Carney is anticipated to have a short meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Canada, the U.S., and Mexico are set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the draw determining country placements into groups, expected to last about two hours. Carney has tempered expectations, indicating major trade advancements are unlikely during this public gathering.

Formal discussions regarding trade between Canada and the U.S. have been stalled since October 23, when the U.S. halted negotiations following criticism from an Ontario government television ad about protectionist tariffs. Carney and Trump last met during a private dinner in South Korea before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which did not produce significant results.

A mandated review of the USMCA is presently in progress across all three countries. On Wednesday, Trump remarked that the U.S. would either allow the agreement to lapse or seek to negotiate a new arrangement. Brian Clow, who previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, voiced doubts about the review process, emphasizing that the Trump administration appears focused on unilateral concessions rather than reciprocal benefits, complicating negotiations for both Canada and Mexico.