Trump talks up trade deal chances with Canada's 'world-class' PM

But Mark Carney leaves White House with no firm promises US tariffs will be lifted

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US President Donald Trump with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Oval Office on Oct 7. Despite the jovial tone, both avoided giving details on how they might ease US tariffs on lumber, aluminium, steel and vehicles.

(PHOTO: AFP)

US President Donald Trump said Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney would be “very happy” after their trade talks at the White House on Oct 7, but offered no immediate concessions on lifting steep US tariffs.

Striking a friendly tone in the Oval Office, Mr Trump praised Mr Carney as a “world-class leader”, adding that the former central banker was a “nice man” who can also be “very nasty”.

But Mr Carney, who faced pressure at home to get a deal during his second White House visit since taking power in April, left without any firm promises that tariffs would be lifted.

“I think they’re going to walk away very happy,’ Mr Trump told reporters, saying that there was “natural conflict” between the two economies, but that they had “come a long way over the last few months”.