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U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney hold a summit meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on May 6. / EPA-Yonhap

U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held their first summit on May 6 in Washington, D.C., with discussions proceeding in a friendlier tone than expected, though without yielding any concrete agreements.

Following the meeting at the White House, Carney told reporters at the Canadian Embassy that the talks with Trump were “constructive” and covered a broad range of topics. “Today marks the end of the beginning of redefining the U.S.-Canada relationship. The question now is how we move forward in cooperation,” Carney said. He added that the two sides laid a “solid foundation” for strengthening economic and security ties.

Carney noted a shift in tone from past meetings, pointing out that Trump referred to him as “Prime Minister” — a contrast to how Trump once mistakenly called former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a “governor.” Carney said there were “discussions aimed at finding solutions,” which gave him the impression that the relationship between the two countries is improving.

“This is the moment where serious conversations begin,” he said. “We need to take follow-up actions, and there are some very concrete items we must build on.”

Praising Trump as a “transformational president” focused on the U.S. economy, workers, border control, and drug interdiction, Carney emphasized the importance of collaboration: “History shows Canada and the U.S. are stronger when we work together — and we have many opportunities to do just that.”

However, the two leaders were sharply divided on tariffs — the summit’s most sensitive issue.

When asked if there was anything Carney could say to persuade him to roll back U.S. tariffs, Trump replied flatly, “No.” In contrast, Carney described the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) as “a foundation for broader negotiations.”

The USMCA, implemented at the end of Trump’s first term in January 2020, includes a review clause requiring the three countries to decide in 2026 whether to extend the pact. Without unanimous agreement, it is set to expire in 2036.

Before the summit, Trump reiterated on Truth Social that the U.S. “has no need to import Canadian cars, steel, or aluminum,” and “no obligation to subsidize Canadian security” — a stance he repeated during the meeting.

Tensions also flared over Trump’s repeated past remarks that “Canada should become the 51st U.S. state.” At the summit, Trump said, “I still believe that. But it takes two to tango. If no one wants to talk about it, then we won’t talk about it.”

Carney countered with a jab referencing Trump’s real estate background: “As you well know, some properties never go on the market. Canada is not for sale — and never will be.”

Trump quipped, “Never say never. Time will tell.” Carney responded firmly, “Canadians won’t change their view.”