Prime Minister Mark Carney defended his government's relationship with the United States during a heated session in the House of Commons. He stated that he speaks "regularly" with U.S. President Donald Trump, including a recent call about international issues such as Ukraine, Russia, and China. Carney described Canada’s trade situation as a success, noting that most Canadian exports are exempt from U.S. tariffs under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). "The real situation is this; we have the world’s best deal with the Americans," he said, receiving applause from Liberal MPs.

Carney's remarks came in response to criticism from Yves-François Blanchet, leader of the Bloc Quebecois. Blanchet accused Carney of harming the Canadian economy by alienating U.S. leadership and suggested that the Prime Minister should spend more time in Washington. He pointed to Canada’s recent poor economic figures and urged Carney to prioritize a trade deal with the U.S. and end tariffs.

Blanchet's party has a history of opposition to Trump, with only three percent of Bloc voters expressing a favorable opinion of the U.S. president in a recent poll. Despite this, Blanchet acknowledged that Trump’s trade policies had unexpectedly fostered a sense of federalism among Quebec nationalists. During the last federal election, he even promised to temporarily set aside the party's commitment to Quebec secession until relations with Trump improved.

In his criticism, Blanchet referenced a speech Carney made in March, where he stated that the close relationship between Canada and the U.S. was over. "The prime minister has said that our privileged and close relationship with the United States would no longer exist. This declaration has been very poorly received in Washington," Blanchet said. He pressed Carney to reaffirm his commitment to restoring that relationship.

In response, Carney emphasized his ongoing communication with Trump, stating, "I speak regularly with him, and I send texts to him." He also noted that Trump is a "modern man" who uses a cell phone for communication. Carney's comments were delivered in French, though he struggled with some phrases, switching between French and English during his responses.

The question period was highly anticipated, reflecting the ongoing tensions in U.S.-Canada relations and the economic challenges facing Canada.