Prime Minister Mark Carney said he plans to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on May 6, and that King Charles III will deliver the throne speech in Parliament on May 27.
Carney made the announcements at his first press conference after winning the April 28 election, in which he disclosed key dates and outlined his government’s agenda.
Speaking to reporters in Parliament on April 2, Carney said his meeting with the U.S. president will be focused on the “broader future economic and security relationship” between the two countries, and getting the “best deal for Canada.”
“In parallel, we will strengthen our relationships with reliable trading partners and allies. Canada has what the world needs, and we uphold the values the world respects,” he said.
Carney referenced his previous comments that Canada’s “old relationship” with the United States based on steadily increasing integration is “over.”
“The questions now are how our nations will cooperate in the future, and where we in Canada will move on,” he said.
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The prime minister said that his cabinet will be sworn in on May 12, Parliament will be recalled on May 26, and King Charles will deliver the speech from the throne on May 27. This will be the first time that a sovereign from the United Kingdom has opened Parliament since Queen Elizabeth II did in 1977.
“This is a historic honour which matches the weight of our times. I know that many Canadians share my enthusiasm about this,” Carney said.
Carney was also asked whether his party would enter into a partnership with the NDP, given that the Liberals are three seats short of a majority government. The prime minister said he would not.
Carney also said his party would be putting forth legislation that would assist Canadians during the “crisis” with the United States, and that he was confident it would be passed without a partnership with the NDP.
The prime minister also said that a byelection would be held as quickly as possible to give Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre the opportunity to win back a seat in the House of Commons. Poilievre lost his seat in the Carleton riding during the April 28 election, after having held it for over two decades.
“I will ensure that it happens as soon as possible,” Carney said of the byelection. “No games, nothing.”
Tariff Talks
The prime minister told reporters that during his upcoming meeting with Trump, his goal will be to try and get the president to lift U.S. tariffs on Canada.
“It’s important to get engaged immediately, which has always been my intention,” he said.
When asked by reporters how he would ensure discussions would not resemble the Feb. 28 meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which deteriorated into an argument, Carney said he would enter talks with “expectation of difficult, but constructive discussions.”
“You go to these meetings well prepared, understanding the objectives of your counterpart and always asking in the best interests of Canada. We’ll go from there,” he said.
Carney said during his second call with Trump on April 29, the U.S. president did not mention the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state, which Trump had referenced during the first call between the leaders in March. Carney said the negotiations between the two would have “zigs and zags, ups and downs,” but that he would “fight for the best deal for Canada.”
