Ottawa/Washington: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held a high-level conversation with US President Donald Trump, discussing a range of issues including economic cooperation, trade relations and the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Both leaders agreed to remain in regular communication as the situation in the region continues to evolve.
Sharing details of the call on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Carney said the two leaders exchanged views on key bilateral matters and global developments. According to him, the discussion covered the economic outlook as well as trade between Canada and the United States, in addition to security concerns linked to the crisis in the Middle East.
The conversation comes shortly after Carney made remarks indicating that Canada could not completely rule out military involvement if the regional conflict intensifies. Speaking earlier during a visit to Canberra alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, he said such a possibility remained hypothetical but could not be dismissed outright.
Carney also reiterated that Canada would continue to support its allies while prioritising the safety of its citizens. His comments marked one of his first detailed responses to the hostilities that erupted recently in the Middle East.
While reflecting on recent military strikes targeting Tehran, the Canadian leader acknowledged that he supported the action with reservations. He described the situation as a sign of a shifting global order and raised concerns about the fragile state of international diplomacy.
Carney noted that Canada had not been informed beforehand about the operation carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran. He said Ottawa was neither consulted nor invited to participate in the mission, adding that the absence of consultation with allies and international institutions raised important questions.
The Prime Minister further stressed the need to protect civilians and urged all sides involved in the conflict to respect international humanitarian norms. At the same time, he said determining whether the strikes violated international law would require careful legal assessment.
Meanwhile, Canada is also focusing on assisting its nationals in the region. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is overseeing efforts to help more than 2,000 Canadians seeking to leave the Middle East. Officials said many requests for assistance have come from the United Arab Emirates, along with Qatar, Lebanon, Israel, and Iran.
Canadian authorities are working to arrange charter flights from the UAE, subject to necessary airspace clearances, to help citizens safely return home as tensions continue to escalate across the region.
