Trump Says He Won't Meet with Canada 'For a While,' Hints at Trade Talks Halt
Trump Says He Won't Meet with Canada 'For a While,' Hints at Trade Talks Halt - Key Points
U.S. President Donald Trump's statement that he has no plans to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the near future raises the possibility of a halt in trade negotiations between the two countries. Trump's remarks are expected to inject new tension into bilateral relations.
Donald Trump made the comments to reporters on Air Force One on October 27, 2025, en route from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Tokyo, Japan. He clarified that there are no plans for a meeting with Carney during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea this week. This is a stark example of the current strained relationship between the two nations.
Notably, Donald Trump stated firmly that he has no intention of resuming trade negotiations with Canada. This follows his declaration on the 23rd of October to suspend trade negotiations with Canada, expressing dissatisfaction with Ontario's advertisement opposing U.S. tariff policies. Although Ontario immediately announced it would stop running the ad in question, Trump instead announced a 10% additional tariff on Canada, maintaining a hard-line stance. Regarding the timing of the 10% additional tariff, Trump said, "Let's see," suggesting further action may be taken depending on how the situation evolves.
Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters in Kuala Lumpur that Canada is ready to resume trade talks with the United States at any time. Carney emphasized, "If the U.S. is ready, we are ready to sit down with them," expressing a willingness to resolve issues through dialogue and compromise. However, Trump's tough stance makes the resumption of dialogue between the two countries unlikely in the near future. Experts warn that if this situation persists, it could have a serious negative impact not only on the economic relationship but also on the political relationship between the two countries.
The South Korean government is closely monitoring the situation and carefully considering its impact on the U.S.-Korea relationship. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is reportedly conveying concerns to the U.S. through diplomatic channels and may make mediation efforts for an amicable solution. In particular, the possibility of discussing this issue through a U.S.-Korea summit in connection with the APEC summit cannot be ruled out. The government stated that it will make every diplomatic effort to ensure the stable development of bilateral relations.
Analysts suggest that this situation could also have a significant impact on the South Korean economy. Canada is one of South Korea's major trading partners, and a deterioration in trade relations between the two countries could negatively impact exports and investment. In particular, there are concerns that the competitiveness of Korean companies operating in Canada may be weakened due to the U.S.'s additional tariffs. The government plans to prepare support measures for related companies and minimize damage by diversifying export markets.
The prevailing view is that the trade dispute between the United States and Canada is likely to be prolonged. Despite Donald Trump's hard-line stance and Canada's conciliatory gestures, the differences between the two countries are so great that a resolution is unlikely. Moreover, there are concerns that such conflicts could recur at any time as long as the U.S.'s protectionist trade policy continues. Therefore, it is increasingly necessary for the South Korean government to develop preemptive response strategies along with a thorough analysis of these international political changes.
