Carney Says He Erred in Saying ‘Who Cares’ About Not Speaking to Trump

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he made a mistake when he dismissed a reporter’s question about when he last spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump by saying “who cares.”

Carney made the comment during question period in the House of Commons on Nov. 25 after Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre said Carney promised an “elbows up” approach when it came to negotiating with the U.S. administration before the election, and accused Carney of now adopting a “who cares” approach.

“When I make a mistake, I’ll admit it,” Carney said. “That was a poor choice of words about a serious issue.”

Carney made the “who cares” comment while responding to a reporter’s question about the timing of his last conversation with Trump, during a Nov. 23 press conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, while attending the G20 leaders’ summit.

“Who cares? I mean, it’s a detail. I spoke to him,” Carney told reporters. “I’ll speak to him again when it matters.”

“I look forward to speaking to the president soon, but I don’t have a burning issue to speak with the president about right now,” Carney said after telling the reporter in French that he would likely speak with Trump within the next two weeks.

Poilievre also said during question period on Nov. 25 that before the election, Carney had said U.S. tariffs were an “existential crisis,” but now the prime minister says they’re “not a burning issue.” Poilievre had also accused Carney the previous day of sending a message to Canadian workers impacted by U.S. tariffs on automobiles, aluminum, steel, and lumber that he “doesn’t care.”

Carney responded that his government cares about creating jobs in Canada and is “acting in those sectors” impacted by U.S. tariffs. He said there will be announcements this week to provide further support for those impacted by tariffs.

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said on social media on Nov. 23 that Carney’s comments on talks with Trump would not help to restore Canada’s “necessary relationship” with the United States.

Blanchet said Canada should “not be naive by cozying up to the least reputable countries,” like China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and should instead “restore a valid diplomacy with the USA and resume the discussion on tariffs and trade.”

“We won’t replace the 75 percent to 80 percent of our exports that go to the United States in a few months, not even in a few years,” Blanchet said in the Nov. 23 post on X. “This disdain from the prime minister could prove to be very costly and clumsy. Error in judgment.”

Trade talks broke down between Canada and the United States last month after the Ontario government sponsored a $75 million anti-tariff advertising campaign in the United States that featured portions of a 1987 address by late U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

Trump called off trade negotiations with Canada on Oct. 23 because of the ad campaign, saying it misrepresented Reagan’s address and was meant to interfere with a U.S. Supreme Court decision on his administration’s use of tariffs. The two countries have not participated in formal trade discussions since.

The Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed that Carney is contemplating a trip to Washington early next month for the final draw on Dec. 5 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament, but says no arrangements for any additional events in the U.S. capital have been established.

If Carney attends the FIFA draw, it will be the first time he has seen Trump face-to-face since a private dinner on Oct. 29 in South Korea prior to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, where Carney apologized to Trump for the controversial ad campaign.

Jennifer Cowan and Matthew Horwood contributed to this report.