Trump Says Companies Leaving Canada for US, Expects Carney to Bring Up Tariffs During Visit

Prime Minister Mark Carney (L) listens to U.S. President Donald Trump while posing for the family photograph during the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alta., on June 16, 2025. The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

U.S. President Donald Trump says he expects his Canadian counterpart to bring up tariffs as Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit the White House on Oct. 7.

Trump made the comments the day ahead of the meeting, saying that an increasing number of Canadian companies are relocating to the United States thanks to his tariffs tactic.

“I guess he’s going to ask about tariffs, because a lot of companies from Canada are moving into the United States,” Trump said in comments to the press on Oct. 6 at the White House. “They’re losing a lot of companies in Canada.”

The first official visit between the two leaders took place in early May at the White House, with the two leaders also meeting this past June in Alberta at the G7 summit.

Carney is expected to be accompanied on Tuesday’s trip by minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade Dominic LeBlanc, who said Oct. 2 that while he believes trade issues between the United States and Canada are “resolvable,” challenges are likely to “remain for some time.” Also accompanying the prime minister on this trip will be Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Industry Minister Mélanie Joly.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has said the two leaders will focus on the economic and security relationship between the two countries during the meeting.

“Canada and the U.S. each launched consultations last month that will inform preparations for the first joint review of CUSMA,” the PMO said on Oct. 3, referring to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, also known as the USMCA.

“The Prime Minister’s working visit will focus on shared priorities in a new economic and security relationship between Canada and the U.S.”

While Trump recently ramped up tariffs on Canadian products not covered by the USMCA to 35 percent, the Carney government has said Canada still has the best tariff rate compared to other countries since the vast majority of Canadian products are exempt under the USMCA.

Ahead of the visit, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Carney for not getting a “win” from the United States after half a year in office, referencing Carney’s campaign messaging of negotiating favourable terms with the Trump administration, and demanded that Carney negotiate the end of American tariffs on softwood lumber, steel, aluminum, copper, and autos.

“You promised the ‘fastest-growing economy in the G7’ and delivered the fastest-shrinking economy in the G7. Canadians suffering in your weak economy have no more time for you to bask in globe-trotting photo ops, handshakes and press conferences,” Poilievre wrote in a statement on Oct. 6. “No more losing. It is time for you to deliver the promised wins.”

Carney has defended his government’s approach to U.S. relations.

“Canada currently has the best trade deal with the United States. And while it’s different from what we had before, it is still better than that of any other country,” Carney said on Aug. 22, after his government removed counter-tariffs on U.S. goods. The Liberal government said the move was necessary to restate stalled trade talks with the United States.

Carney and Trump spoke on the phone on Aug. 21, with Carney saying the two had a “productive and wide-ranging conversation.” For his part, Trump told reporters after the call, “I like Carney a lot, I think he is a good person,” adding that, “We are working on something.”