Carney says there's hope for trade deals with U.S. but 'don't expect white smoke'

TORONTO — Canada is making progress on "small" tariff deals with the U.S. for key sectors, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday after revealing he'd had a recent phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Carney disclosed the call during a scrum with reporters outside a cabinet retreat in Toronto. He said he spoke with Trump "at length" Monday evening on a wide range of issues, including trade, geopolitics and employment.

He described it as a "good conversation" but also warned there is no guarantee Ottawa will secure any of the deals under discussion as the Trump administration works to squeeze the Canadian economy to obtain trade concessions.

"Don't expect immediate white smoke on one of these strategic sectors, but that's the kind of conversation that we're having," Carney sai