Trump and Carney Set Talks After Canada’s Election Shake-Up

(The Post News)– United States President Donald Trump has extended his congratulations to Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, following Monday’s general election, and the two leaders have agreed to meet in the near future, according to Carney’s office.

The phone call between the pair marks their first official contact since Carney’s surprise rise to the top job. Despite not securing an outright majority, Carney’s Liberal Party has pulled off what Canadian public broadcaster CBC described as a dramatic turnaround, winning 169 seats, just three shy of the 172 needed to form a majority government in Canada’s 338-seat House of Commons. With a minority government, Carney will now have to rely on support from other parties, most likely the New Democrats or the Bloc Québécois, to pass legislation and avoid potential confidence votes that could topple his government.

During their conversation, Carney and Trump acknowledged the importance of both countries working together as “independent, sovereign nations”, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. Talks between Canada and the US are expected to centre on a new economic and security framework, though the path ahead may be complicated by recent tensions over trade tariffs and sovereignty issues.

Those tensions were on full display again when Trump’s deputy press secretary, Anna Kelly, said the president still hopes to see Canada become “America’s cherished 51st state”. Carney, in response, told reporters that such an idea is “never, ever going to happen” and insisted that any partnership with the US would be “on our terms”.

Carney, a former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, only took over the leadership last month after Justin Trudeau stepped down amid sliding public approval. Carney has promised to move quickly on domestic priorities such as easing the housing crunch and cutting taxes for low- and middle-income earners. In Washington, newly appointed US ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, posted a video message welcoming the election results and pledging to “make progress” in bilateral relations.

Despite the Liberals’ narrow win, both they and the opposition Conservatives increased their share of the vote compared to the last election. The Conservatives secured 144 seats, giving them the role of official opposition, while support for smaller parties, especially the New Democrats, took a hit.

The turnout stood at 67%, showing a healthy level of engagement despite a deeply polarised campaign season. Carney will now need to navigate a politically divided parliament while preparing to host the G7 summit in Alberta this June.