Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and US Vice President JD Vance held a bilateral meeting in Rome on Sunday to discuss trade tensions, border security and defence cooperation, amid mounting pressure over tariffs and a shifting economic relationship between the two neighbours.The meeting took place at the Villa Taverna, the US Ambassador’s residence in Rome, shortly after they attended the inaugural Mass for Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. Describing the talks as constructive, Carney’s office said the two spoke about “immediate trade pressures and the need to build a new economic and security relationship.”Vice President Vance echoed a similar tone in a brief readout, calling it a “casual meeting” focused on shared interests, particularly “fair trade policies and the two nations’ continued lasting relationship.”Carney later posted on social media and wrote, “We spoke about building a new economic and security relationship between Canada and the United States — one that addresses immediate trade pressures, strengthens our defence cooperation, and secures our shared border. We’re strongest when we work together.”The meeting follows weeks of uncertainty after the Canadian government paused some retaliatory tariffs it had imposed in response to US duties on Canadian goods. As per news agency AFP, Canadian finance minister François-Philippe Champagne rejected claims that Canada had fully dropped the tariffs, stating on X, “70% of those tariffs are still in place.” He added that Canada continues to charge tariffs on roughly Can$43 billion (US$31 billion) worth of US goods.The original countermeasures, imposed after US President Donald Trump reinstated steep tariffs on Canadian imports, were a central part of Carney’s election campaign. He had promised to push back against US trade aggression, especially targeting auto and manufacturing sectors. While some relief was announced in the Canada Gazette on May 7 for industries including food processing, health, and national security, Champagne’s office was quoted by AFP as saying that these exemptions were time-limited to help Canadian firms adjust supply chains.Still, a report by Oxford Economics, widely cited in Canadian media, claimed the range of exemptions effectively brought tariff rates “to nearly zero.” Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre seized on the report to accuse the Carney government of backing down quietly. Champagne dismissed this as misinformation.The Carney-Vance talks come at a time when both governments are also prioritising the fight against fentanyl and illegal border crossings. Carney’s office confirmed that “efforts underway to secure borders, crack down on fentanyl, and increase investments in defence and security” were part of Sunday’s discussion.As per AP, Vance is leading a broader US diplomatic push in Rome, including meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. Vance also briefly met Pope Leo XIV, who has pledged to work toward peace in Ukraine and continue the humanitarian efforts initiated by his predecessor, Pope Francis.Both Carney and Vance agreed to maintain communication going forward, with their respective offices underlining the need for “mutual co-operation” as the two countries navigate trade challenges and regional security concerns.
