President Donald Trump is describing the relationship between the United States and Canada as having “mutual love” but also “natural conflict.”

 

On Tuesday, he met with Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Oval Office.

 

Associated Press Canadian Bureau Chief Rob Gillies was in the room and said the meeting comes as tensions rise over trade disputes and annexation threats.

 

“Canadians are quite upset with the United States and Trump in particular and are refusing to go to the United States right now. Tourism is down 25 percent and the tariffs are starting to bite in certain sectors in Canada,” Gillies said.

 

Carney’s visit aims to improve ties ahead of a critical review of the free trade agreement next year.

 

Canada wants relief from specific tariffs, but expectations are low.

 

Despite tensions over tariffs, Gillies says that Trump appears to have an affinity for Carney as a leader.

 

“I was in the room with Carney and Trump and they seem to have a cordial relationship. Trump seems to like Carney quite a bit and says that Canada is going to be happy at the end of this,” Gillies said.

 

The U.S.-Canada relationship remains vital, with significant economic and security ties.