Carney accepts invitation to speak with Trump, but says 'old relationship' with US is now 'over'

Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he has agreed to a request from US President Donald Trump for a meeting.

He revealed the invite in Ottawa this afternoon while discussing the president's decision to sign an executive order on Wednesday to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all automobile imports starting April 2.

Carney said Trump “reached out” to arrange the call and he has agreed to speak with the president.

But the prime minister will make sure Trump understands the need for “mutual respect” between Canada and the US.

Carney also said Canada will “respond forcefully” to the US tariff and stressed that “nothing is off the table.”

He said the “road ahead will be long,” that there’s “no silver bullet,” but that Canada must “fundamentally reimagine” its economy.

The “old relationship” the country had with the US, Carney added, is now “over.”

Instead, Canada must look elsewhere for friends and “dramatically reduce” its reliance on the US.

That represents "the biggest crisis in our lifetimes," he said.

Tory Leader Pierre Poilievre, meanwhile, is campaigning in British Columbia today.

He once again condemned "yet another attack by President Trump against our economy."

"There he goes again attacking his closest neighbour and America's best friend with new tariffs that will drive up the cost of living for American consumers," he said, adding: "My message to President Trump is: knock it off. Stop attacking America's friends."