Trump says Canadian prime minister to visit US 'within the next week'

ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit Washington, DC "within the next week.”

Trump said he believes he has a "great relationship" with Carney in response to a question about rebuilding relations with Canada.

The president described his congratulatory call with the Canadian prime minister following his election victory as one that "couldn't have been nicer," adding that Carney told him: "Let's make a deal."

"He is going to come to the White House very shortly, within the next week, or less," Trump said.

Trump claimed both candidates in Monday's Canadian election "hated" him, but Carney, whom he called "a very nice gentleman," hated him less than his opponent.

The announcement comes amid strained US-Canada relations since Trump took office in January. The president has frequently referred to Canada as a "state" and called its prime minister "governor" while criticizing the northern neighbor for trade imbalances and border security issues.

The two countries have engaged in a trade war with reciprocal high tariffs imposed on each other's goods.

Canada confirmed in a statement Tuesday that "the leaders agreed on the importance of Canada and the United States working together – as independent, sovereign nations – for their mutual betterment" and planned to meet in person "in the near future."

Carney's Liberal Party secured victory in the federal elections, winning another four-year mandate.