U.S. Vice-President JD Vance discussed the recent trade agreement with Canada during a fundraising event on Wednesday, mentioning that Prime Minister Mark Carney attempted to appear tougher than U.S. President Donald Trump. Vance praised Conservative MP Jamil Jivani for his advocacy for Canada, stating that Jivani has been an effective advocate behind the scenes.
At the event, Vance described Carney as a “very sweet guy” but noted his attempt to outshine Trump, despite compromises on several issues. Vance highlighted Jivani’s role in the negotiations, contrasting him with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, whom he referred to as a negligible figure in the talks.
The White House and the vice-president’s office had not commented on the matter. Trump recently announced a temporary halt on new tariffs on Canadian goods after discussions with Carney. Reports suggest that the deal involves reducing tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and automobiles in exchange for returning American alcohol to Canadian shelves.
Vance emphasized that the goal of the negotiations was to influence Canada’s behavior, noting a shift towards a “Trumpian direction.” He underscored the importance of the relationship between the U.S. and Canada, mentioning the involvement of key officials in the talks.
Jivani, a close friend of Vance, has been actively engaged in the negotiations, advocating for mutual benefits in areas such as energy and automotive tariffs. Vance praised Jivani’s dedication to Canada’s success and highlighted their longstanding friendship and shared experiences, including Jivani’s participation in Vance’s wedding.
Jivani’s efforts have caused internal tensions within the Canadian Conservative Party, especially with Poilievre, who has expressed concerns about tariffs in agreements with the U.S. Jivani’s engagement with the Trump administration has led to disagreements within the party, with Poilievre emphasizing his distinct views from Jivani’s approach.
Jivani, who has visited Washington multiple times to support trade negotiations, did not respond immediately to requests for comments. The MP’s proactive involvement in the talks underscores the complexities and dynamics of Canada-U.S. trade relations.