Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrapped up a midday phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, marking their first direct conversation since Trump triggered a trade war with Canada by imposing sweeping tariffs on all Canadian goods.
While the exact details of their discussion remain unclear, a spokesperson for Trudeau confirmed they talked about “trade and fentanyl.”
According to a senior Canadian government official, the 50-minute call also included U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The official added that talks between the two sides will continue throughout the afternoon.
In a speech to Congress, Trump justified his decision to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian imports, despite sharp criticism from Canada and concerns about market instability. Trudeau previously slammed the move as "very dumb."
WATCH | Trump defends tariffs in Congress, Canada fights back
In a potential softening of the trade measures, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that Trump has granted a one-month exemption on auto imports under the USMCA trade deal (known in Canada as CUSMA).
Leavitt said the decision followed direct appeals from the heads of Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, who urged Trump to reconsider the tariffs due to their impact on North American auto supply chains.
While the specifics of this exemption remain unclear, it suggests that Canadian auto exports to the U.S. will continue unaffected—for now.
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