Carney signals he’s in no rush to speak with Trump after visit to U.K., France [Video]

Prime Minister Mark Carney signalled Tuesday he is in no rush to speak to his U.S. counterpart about the ongoing trade war between the two countries, saying a call will come at the “appropriate time.”

Speaking to reporters in Iqaluit after returning from a two-day trip abroad, Carney said he’s not consumed by what he diplomatically called U.S. President Donald Trump’s “initiatives,” or near-daily trade threats, saying his main focus is building up the Canadian economy so that it’s more resilient to global economic challenges, including the American protectionist push.

Carney said Trump’s tariff action has “called into the question the validity” of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), and there’s a need for a larger conversation with the Americans about resetting the entire bilateral relationship, something that will only happen when the time is right.

He said the “starting point” of an expected future call with Trump will be him reaffirming …