The recent meeting between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney marked an important and encouraging step forward for the U.S.–Canada relationship. Both leaders brought their business acumen and negotiating instincts to the table, setting a constructive tone that signaled a shared understanding of the stakes involved. For businesses on both sides of the border, this was a welcome reset.

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But while the tone of the meeting was promising, the work is far from done.

Our two economies remain deeply integrated—more than $2.7 billion (CAD$3.6 billion) in goods and services cross the border each day. Businesses rely on predictability and consistent rules to plan, invest, and grow. Yet in recent months, shifting trade dynamics, rising tariffs, and regulatory uncertainty have strained the system. These pressures have been especially hard on highly integrated sectors like automotive, manufacturing, and energy, where disruption in one country is immediately felt in the other.

Now is the time to move beyond rhetoric and toward results. The Canadian American Business Council (CABC) is encouraged by the initial signals coming out of the Trump–Carney discussion, and we’re hopeful that this momentum can carry forward into meaningful progress. We believe there’s a real opportunity to craft a modernized framework that supports shared growth, reduces trade friction, and restores confidence among investors and consumers alike.

One of the most immediate priorities must be resolving tariff issues that are hindering industries across the board. While tariffs may be used as tools of leverage, their real-world impacts are clear: higher costs, slower production, and economic uncertainty. They affect virtually every sector—and their impacts are most acutely felt by working families already dealing with inflation and supply chain instability.

The CABC has stood at the forefront of the U.S.-Canada relationship for the better part of three decades, through ups and downs. In this era of our bilateral relationship, we continue to support both governments in finding mutually beneficial solutions. Our members represent a cross-section of North America’s economy, bringing more than 7,000 years of combined experience navigating this vital relationship. That experience tells us that collaboration—not confrontation—is what drives prosperity.

As an American with ties on both sides of the border, I see the ways in which the United States and Canada are inherently connected. We share geography, personal connections, and multi-layered economic ties. Having worked in both business and government, I believe that the U.S. and Canada can and must re-commit to a long-term, mutually beneficial economic partnership. That means putting in place smart trade rules, fostering investment, and strengthening the channels that connect our businesses, workers, and communities.

As Prime Minister Carney settles into his leadership role, and as President Trump looks to chart a clear economic course, both sides have a chance to do something bold: turn a historically strong friendship into a next-generation partnership.

The CABC is committed to making that vision a reality, as we have in the past. We’re ready to work with officials, advocate for business, and help shape a future where North American competitiveness is not only protected—but elevated.

With the right follow-through, the positive tone of the Trump–Carney meeting can become the foundation for a more resilient, more integrated, and more prosperous future for both nations.