In response to mounting pressure over taxes and a shifting financial relationship between the two mates, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and US Vice President JD Vance held a diplomatic meeting in Rome on Sunday to explore business conflicts, border security, and defense assistance. Shortly after they had attended Pope Leo XIV‘s annual Mass at the Vatican, the meeting took place at Villa Taverna, the US Ambassador’s mansion in Rome. In a brief reading, Carney’s department described the two meetings as” casual meetings” that focused on shared passions, particularly” fair business plans and the two countries ‘ continued lasting marriage,” and noted that the two discussed “immediate business pressures and the need to build a new economic and security marriage.” The meeting comes after weeks of uncertainty following the Canadian government’s suspension of some retaliatory tariffs it had imposed in response to US duties on Canadian goods.” We’re strongest when we work together. According to AFP, Canadian finance minister François-Philippe Champagne refuted claims that the country had completely eliminated the tariffs, saying on X that “70 % of those tariffs are still in place.” He added that Canada continues to impose tariffs on US goods worth roughly Can$ 43 billion ( US$ 31 billion ). Carney’s campaign heavily emphasized the original countermeasures, which were put in place after US President Donald Trump imposed severe tariffs on Canadian imports. He had promised to fight US trade aggression, particularly those that targeted the auto and manufacturing industries. Although some relief was announced in the May 7 edition of the Canada Gazette for sectors like food processing, health, and national security, Champagne’s office was cited by AFP as saying these exemptions were time-limited to aid Canadian businesses in adjusting supply chains. However, a report from Oxford Economics, which was frequently quoted in Canadian media, claimed that the range of exemptions had actually brought tariff rates” to close to zero.” Pierre Poilievre, the opposition leader, claimed the Carney government had quietly backed away from the report. This was deemed to be false by Champagne. The Carney-Vance discussions come at a time when both governments place a premium on tackling the issue of fentanyl and border crossings without authorization. The discussion on Sunday included “efforts underway to secure borders, crack down on fentanyl, and increase investments in defence and security,” according to Carney’s office. According to AP, Vance is in charge of a wider US diplomatic push in Rome, including meetings with European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Vincenza also had a brief conversation with Pope Leo XIV, who has pledged to carry out the humanitarian efforts that his predecessor, Pope Francis, initiated while promoting peace in Ukraine. Carney and Vance both agreed to keep in touch going forward, with their respective offices stressing the need for “mutual co-operation” as the two nations deal with regional security concerns and trade challenges.
