(NewsNation) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is meeting with President Donald Trump Tuesday as the two countries have yet to reach a trade deal.
Trump opened the meeting with comments about the longstanding relationship between the two countries and touting his proposed peace deal in Gaza.
The president described Carney as a great man, then was asked why he hasn’t made a deal with Canada if he likes Carney so much.
“Because I want to be a great man too,” Trump said.
He said there would be an announcement coming soon regarding programs he intends to permanently cut during the government shutdown.
The president expressed an opinion that not all federal workers deserve back pay if they were furloughed during the government shutdown, suggesting that some might not receive the Congressionally-mandated compensation.
When asked why, he said that reporters should ask Democrats.
Trump also emphasized that the U.S. and Canada are in competition for business, which is an issue in the relationship.
Trump also touted his efforts to deploy the national guard in U.S. cities to fight crime, something that has been challenged in court.
The president also said that while great strides have been made in stopping fentanyl trafficking, he’s not sure the crisis will ever be over.
The White House is set to review a critical free-trade agreement next year, and Canada, where 77% of exports go to the U.S., has yet to reach a deal to lower tariffs.
Trump has also made repeated comments about making Canada the 51st state, creating tension in a normally strong alliance.
“We’ve had ups and downs, but this is the lowest point in relations that I can recall,” said Frank McKenna, a former Canadian ambassador to the United States and current deputy chairman of TD Bank.
“Canadians aren’t being instructed what to do. They are simply voting with their feet,” he said. “I talk every day to ordinary citizens who are changing their vacation plans, and I talk to large business owners who are moving reward trips away or executive business trips. There is an outright rebellion.”
Steel and aluminum are two areas where Canada is likely to seek relief from Trump’s stiff tariffs.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.