Payam Javan: In a surprising shift of tone, U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney emerged from a high-stakes meeting at the White House this week with renewed optimism about the future of bilateral relations between the neighboring nations.

The 32-minute Oval Office appearance marked Carney’s second visit to Washington since taking office and came amid mounting pressure to ease U.S. tariffs that have strained Canada’s economy. President Trump, who previously imposed sweeping levies on Canadian steel, autos, and other goods, praised Carney as a “very strong, very good leader” and spoke of “mutual love” between the two countries.

While no formal policy changes were announced, both leaders signaled a willingness to revisit the terms of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), with Trump hinting at potential renegotiations or “different deals” to extend the pact. Carney, facing domestic calls for economic relief, expressed confidence that “we’re going to get the right deal,” though he stopped short of outlining specific demands.

The meeting also touched on shared priorities, including border security and the opioid crisis. Trump acknowledged Canada’s efforts in tackling fentanyl trafficking and suggested that the two nations had “come a long way” in recent discussions.

Despite the warm rhetoric, analysts caution that words alone may not translate into immediate policy shifts. Still, the meeting was widely seen as a step toward de-escalating trade tensions and restoring trust between two of the world’s closest allies.

As one observer noted, “Gone are the days when Canada’s prime minister could walk into the White House hoping simply to do no harm. Now, there’s hope for something more — a reset, perhaps, or at least a reprieve.”