Ottawa: Amid trade difficulties, particularly the effect of US tariffs on the Canadian economy, US President Donald Trump congratulated Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada on his Liberal party’s election victory on Tuesday. The leaders also spoke about their countries’ relationship. The leaders also decided to have a face-to-face meeting soon.

“Today, Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with President Donald J. Trump of the United States,” the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office stated in a statement on Tuesday. Prime Minister Carney received congratulations from President Trump on his recent election.

The statement went on to say, “The presidents agreed that cooperation between the United States and Canada, as separate, sovereign states, is essential for their mutual benefit. In light of this, the leaders decided to have a face-to-face meeting soon.

In the 45th federal election, Carney and the Liberal Party were predicted by Canadian news organization CTV News to hold onto power by securing enough seats to form the government. Justin Trudeau resigned at the end of his reign after losing his party’s support and was replaced as leader by Carney.

With Carney, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet, and Green Party co-leader Jonathan Pedneault leading their parties in a fiercely contested race, the election was dubbed one of the most unpredictable in Canadian history.

The election was held in the midst of Trump’s continuous assaults and tariff threats, during which he called Canada the “51st state of the United States.”

Canada has been drastically impacted by a change in US administration. Trump’s abrupt tariffs have caused concern in Canada’s economy. Steel, timber, agricultural goods, and car components account for almost 70% of the nation’s exports to the United States.

Following Trump’s announcement of increased car tariffs earlier in March, Carney had said that the long-standing economic and security partnership between Canada and the United States was over.

“The old relationship we had with the United States, based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation, is over,” said Carney.