Canadian PM Mark Carney met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday to discuss trade and tariffs. While both leaders described the meeting as constructive, they remained divided on key issues, Xinhua reported.

Carney dismissed Trump's frequent proposal that Canada could become the "51st state," calling the idea unhelpful. He stressed the need of respecting both nations' sovereignty and advocated for further negotiations.

Despite pleas for tariffs to be lifted, Trump confirmed that duties will remain, particularly on Canadian vehicles, steel, and aluminum. Carney stated that conversations would continue ahead of the G7 summit in Alberta, as stated by Xinhua.

The ongoing trade tensions have impacted Canadian exports, with bilateral trade declining in March, according to Statistics Canada. Carney’s visit marks his first international trip since assuming office last week following a federal election.