MNI BRIEF: Trump Strikes Friendly Tone At Carney Meeting

U.S. President Donald Trump stressed he wants friendship with Canada as they work together towards an improved North American free trade pact, calling new Prime Minister Mark Carney "very talented" before their first in-person meeting.

Trump backed off earlier comments about making Canada the 51st State, telling reporters "I still believe that, but it takes two to tango." The President also said they would discuss illicit shipments of fentanyl, auto trade, Arctic security, boosting Canada's defense spending and the Ukraine peace process. Trump also joked that Carney's come-back election win for the Liberals was almost as big as his own return to office. (See: MNI INTERVIEW: Canada Factories Suffer From US Tariff Threats)