Auto sector tempering expectations of Carney’s meeting with Trump

OTTAWA — As Prime Minister Mark Carney prepared to enter the belly of the beast with his Oval Office meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, those representing Canadian industries threatened by Trump’s tariffs were bracing themselves.

The Canadian auto industry, one of those suffering the most from steep U.S. tariffs, tempered expectations of the high-profile meeting between the two world leaders on Tuesday.

But Canadian steelworkers warned that it would be a grave political miscalculation for Carney to return empty-handed — a sentiment Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pounced on in Monday’s question period.

Representatives of the auto industry told The Canadian Press they’ll be looking for positive signals — but not much more.

Brian Kingston, president of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, said this meeting is likely just one part of ongoing discussions and he’s not holding his breath for an immediate outcome.

“I don’t expect that we’re going to see an agreement that removes all tariffs on automotive,” he said.

Kingston said the tariffs are doing great damage to his industry and manufacturers’ costs are mounting with each day that goes by without an agreement.

“This is unsustainable and it is ultimately doing severe damage to the North American auto sector. So we need an agreement and we need it now,” he said.

Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’​ Association, said he hopes to see some positive signals coming out of the working meetings.

“It’s good, especially with this president, to have (those) face to face,” Volpe said. “I’m happy that Team Canada is going down there. We were there last week. I didn’t really hear a lot of urgency from American voices on Canadian interests, so hopefully this refreshes a lot of their minds on just how close we’re integrated.”

Global Automakers of Canada Vice President Lucas Malinowski said “we’re all going to be waiting with bated breath and hoping for the best.” He said he will be watching for anything that affirms Trump is committed to renewing the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement on trade.

“Having some clarity on the ongoing durability of that agreement, I think, will be critical to give certainty to the auto industry,” he said.

A spokesperson for the Canadian Steel Producers Association declined an interview request by The Canadian Press, saying only they’ll be watching the meeting closely.

But Marty Warren, national director of the United Steelworkers union, said he worries the meeting could produce a “half-measure” on steel that the prime minister might “try to sell as a victory.”