The call comes as the specter of Trump’s tariffs looms over the country — and just days after the Trudeau administration said it wanted to revive talks.
The U.S. president last week put a 30-day pause on sweeping tariffs against Canada and Mexico after both nations vowed to take a tougher stance against illegal migration and fentanyl drug trafficking.
Trudeau raised the prospect of restarting the bilateral negotiations in a call with the U.K.’s Keir Starmer last Wednesday, said a Canadian official granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
The two leaders “committed to renewing efforts to advance bilateral trade,” according to a Canadian readout of the call. They also “discussed the importance of working together to promote economic security and stability for people in both our countries and around the world.”
Speaking after the call, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said “the leaders […] discussed the strong trading relationship between the U.K. and Canada” and “how together both countries could go further to support growth.”
Carmakers in the firing line
Last month, Trudeau announced he is stepping down, launching a leadership race to select a new PM by early March, with Canada facing a general election before the year is out.