Prime Minister Mark Carney is holding direct and secret talks with U.S. President Donald Trump to iron out a framework trade and security agreement, says the U.S. Ambassador to Canada. Peter Hoekstra told The Globe and Mail that talks between the leaders and top cabinet ministers are being held under a cone of silence to ensure a positive outcome.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump are in direct communication as part of Ottawa's bid to persuade Washington to lift tariffs, Industry Minister Melanie Joly said on Thursday.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada won’t respond immediately to the Trump administration’s doubling of steel and aluminum tariffs, and indicated that officials are in “intensive discussions” about the trade relationship between the countries.