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When Prime Minister Mark Carney touches down in Washington on Friday morning, Canadian officials say this brief visit is all about celebrating FIFA soccer. Really, they insist.
Expectations for any sort of breakthrough that could see trade talks with the U.S. resume are low. At best, it seems there’s hope the prime minister might be able to have a warm moment or two with U.S. President Donald Trump and nudge things in a more positive direction.
CBC News spoke with two senior Canadian government officials with direct knowledge of the trip and the Prime Minister’s plans. Both have been granted anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.
Carney will represent Canada at the FIFA World Cup Final Draw Ceremony on Friday — a highly anticipated and complicated event that will determine matches, schedules and locations for next year’s tournament.
Standing alongside Carney during this two hour spectacle at the Kennedy Center will be his tournament co-hosts: U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Carney, right, presents Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum with an official World Cup soccer ball before their meeting at the National Palace in Mexico City in September. The leaders agreed to deepen ties between the two countries as both grapple with the uncertainty of a second Donald Trump presidency. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
There is no understating the importance of this draw, and this tournament itself, which is considered one of the most important sporting events on the planet.
At the same time, it will be hard to overlook the political tensions of this moment.
Political tensions high ahead of CUSMA review
Trump has hit his trading partners with punishing tariffs.
He’s also expected to try to squeeze concessions out of both Canada and Mexico during the upcoming review — and likely renegotiation — of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
On Wednesday, he casually floated the idea of leaving the three way trade agreement during an event in the Oval Office.
“And we’ll either let it expire, we’ll maybe work out another deal with Mexico and Canada,” he said as he claimed his trading partners take advantage of the U.S.
WATCH | Trump on trade partners Canada and Mexico:
Trump claims Canada, Mexico have taken advantage of the U.S. | Hanomansing Tonight
As a hearing kicked off in Washington focused on the future of CUSMA, Trump claimed Mexico and Canada have ‘taken advantage of the United States like just about every other country.’ The hearing saw U.S. agriculture, business and policy groups urging the Trump administration not to scrap the agreement.
Tensions with Canada remain particularly difficult. Trump called off trade talks in October, after he was angered by an anti-tariff TV ad run by the province of Ontario.
One source tells CBC News that there’s an expectation Carney and Trump will have a quick moment to chat privately, though the source cautioned nothing is guaranteed.
The second source said that if there is an appropriate opportunity to bring up trade, Carney will likely take it, but emphasized this is an event to celebrate the upcoming tournament.
“Maybe we’ll see an outcome that will see the talks kickstarted … but frankly, I don’t expect that,” said Brian Clow, who led the Canada-U.S. relations file when he was the deputy chief of staff to former prime minister Justin Trudeau.
Even if there’s little hope for a breakthrough, Clow says Carney should address the trade tensions with Trump.
“Maybe you go in there with some sort of small offer, a suggestion, something to get the president’s attention and get him to turn around to staff and say ‘OK, let’s get back to the table with the Canadians,’ ” Clow said.
U.S. President Donald Trump holds the FIFA World Cup Winners Trophy as FIFA President Gianni Infantino looks on in the Oval Office on Aug. 22. The president is expected to try to squeeze concessions out of both Canada and Mexico during the upcoming review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement. (Jacquelyn Martin/The Associated Press)
Carney won’t attend public CUSMA hearings
Carney’s visit also happens to coincide with what will be the third and final day of public consultation hearings about CUSMA, or USMCA as it’s known in the U.S.
Dozens of stakeholders are testifying before Trump administration officials in Washington to share their feedback about the deal and offer any suggestions moving forward.
Carney will be steering clear of those hearings — after he attends the FIFA draw, he’s expected to attend more FIFA related celebrations at the Canadian Embassy and participate in a Christmas tree lighting.
WATCH | The prime minister says he’ll meet with U.S. president at FIFA draw:
Carney says he’ll see Trump in Washington during FIFA World Cup draw
Prime Minister Mark Carney says he ‘does not want to over-signal’ anything on Canada-U.S. talks as he confirms he will see U.S. President Donald Trump at a FIFA World Cup event next week in Washington. Carney said this was not a sign that trade talks were resuming.
