Trump trade adviser's outburst makes Carney laugh: 'I take note of both comments. How’s that?'

Prime Minister Mark Carney laughed out loud when asked to comment on remarks by U.S. trade adviser Peter Navarro that Canadian lobbyists should "get the hell out" of the U.S. and stop interfering in the upcoming midterm elections there.

Carney also appeared amused by the U.S. president's prediction that Canada would apologize and roll back its counter-tariffs on U.S. goods.

Navarro's comments came yesterday during a summit on American economic growth hosted by Widehall, a public policy consulting firm in Washington, DC. "Do you really want to spend any time on Canada?" he said. "Because Canada economically is a rowboat. We're an aircraft carrier. How's that going to end?"

He continued: "Any Canadians here, please, if you're on K Street, get the hell out of our country, because the problem you have is you lobby this country, and you've been successful in the past, and you think you can keep doing that."

K Street, a major avenue in Washington, DC, is home to law firms, think tanks, trade associations and advocacy groups, and has become synonymous with lobbying in the U.S. capital.

"Memo to Canada," Navarro continued: "You cannot do that. OK? That game is up, and if you interfere in our elections in Maine or Michigan you will pay even more dearly."

The comments in some way recalled remarks by Canadian Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who posted to social media on Election Day in April 2025: "President Trump, stay out of our election. The only people who will decide the future of Canada are Canadians at the ballot box."

Trump had earlier that day posted to Truth Social: "Good luck to the Great people of Canada." He had added: "Elect the man who has the strength and wisdom to cut your taxes in half, increase your military power, for free, to the highest level in the World," suggesting all this and more would come if Canada became the 51st state.

This week at the White House, Trump told reporters his latest prediction on Canada: "I think what's going to happen is, over the next three or four weeks, they're going to come to us and they're going to say, 'We're going to get rid of all the tariffs.' We're going to win everything."

He added: "They're going to come in and they're going to say, 'Sir, we are sorry.'"

Carney was asked about both comments yesterday at a press conference in Vancouver on the topic of ocean protection. He broke into laughter even before the question was complete.

Composing himself, he replied: "I take note of both comments. How's that? No response to either."

Before the next question was posed, he added: "I'll just say this on trade. It continues to be the case that Canada stands ready to negotiate in good faith (on) a mutually advantageous trade arrangement that respects both our countries' sovereignty."

Carney was asked later in the event if he was considering "applying new trade pressure" with the U.S. midterms just weeks away.

"Never rule anything out," he said. "I'll stand by my earlier comments, and the position of the government, which is — look the reality is that the cost of living is very high in the United States. And there's things that Canada can do to help lower that cost of living."

He spoke of cooperation between Canada and the U.S. on issues including energy security, food security, information security and financial security.

"Those are fundamental issues that are best addressed through reliable partnerships. Canada is a reliable partner and we're ready to work in any or all of those areas."

He added: "Our timing isn't dictated by any any specific aspect of the U.S. calendar."

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