OTTAWA – Canada's newly appointed ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, has announced that Prime Minister Mark Carney aims to establish communication with President Donald Trump "as soon as possible." In a recent interview with Fox News, Hillman stated that the Canadian government reached out to their U.S. counterparts immediately following Carney's swearing-in as prime minister on March 14, 2025, expressing eagerness to connect with Trump.

During the interview, Hillman emphasized that Carney is determined to build a "good and solid relationship" with the U.S. president. She acknowledged that Carney respects Trump’s efforts to enhance the U.S. economy but highlighted his parallel objective of fortifying Canada’s economic standing. The ambassador’s remarks suggest a pragmatic approach towards U.S.-Canada relations under Carney's leadership, aimed at mutual economic benefits.

Hillman was asked about potential measures Canada could implement to mitigate the impact of reciprocal tariffs that Trump is expected to impose on various countries. However, she did not provide a definitive answer. Instead, Hillman referred to a meeting held with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick last week, which underscored the reality that Canada will indeed be affected when the tariffs are activated starting April 2, 2025.

As part of his initial foreign engagements, Prime Minister Carney departed for a trip that includes visits to France and the United Kingdom. The focus of these discussions will primarily be on enhancing security as well as economic and trade relations. Following his visits to Europe, Carney plans to stop in Iqaluit, Nunavut, to assert Canada’s sovereignty over its Arctic territories.

Although Carney has indicated that he does not currently have plans to visit the United States, he remains optimistic about the prospect of conversing with President Trump at an appropriate time. This cautious yet hopeful approach reflects Carney's desire to navigate the complex landscape of international relations with a focus on cooperation and dialogue.

The context of these discussions is pivotal, especially as both nations face economic challenges and uncertainties in their trade relationships. As Canada prepares to confront the impending tariffs while strengthening its international ties, the establishment of an open line of communication with the U.S. remains a strategic priority for the Carney administration.