Carney and Trump holding secret talks on trade and security, U.S. envoy says
Prime Minister Mark Carney is holding direct and secret talks with U.S. President Donald Trump to iron out a framework for a trade and security agreement, says the U.S. Ambassador to Canada.
Peter Hoekstra told The Globe and Mail that talks between the leaders and top cabinet ministers are being held under a cone of silence to ensure a positive outcome.
The Prime Minister and the President met in the Oval Office on May 6 but there has been no indication until now that they had been holding direct negotiations.
'You have the relationship and the discussions between the President and the Prime Minister,' he said, adding 'they have had conversations, more than just the Oval Office.'
'The indications that they are talking and in communications regularly is a clear indicator to me that both sides recognize the importance and the urgency of moving this forward.'
The talks include Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, he said.
Mr. Hoekstra said the Canadians and Americans are 'laying out the perimeters' of a deal that could involve boosting U.S. content in autos, improving U.S. access to Canadian critical minerals and ensuring Canada plays a much bigger role in the Arctic. The talks also include increased defence spending, energy, border security, fentanyl as well as steel and aluminum.
The current talks are solely between Canada and the U.S. and do not involve Mexico, the ambassador said.
But he said the Canadians and Americans want the talks to be successful, which is why they are working hard to ensure there no leaks.
'This is too important for it be managed by leaks. There is too much at stake. You are our second largest trading partner,' he said.
Mr. Hoekstra said it was entirely possible that a deal could be reached before September, something the Prime Minister alluded to last week.
'Sure, September is possible. Is possible to be earlier. Sure. Is it possible that it will be later, sure,' he said. 'When the President is ready to announce an agreement and the Prime Minister is ready to announce an agreement. That is when that will happen.'
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