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 and U.S. President Donald Trump are having direct discussions to reach a trade deal and lift tariffs.Sources first confirmed the calls with CBC/Radio-Canada and Industry Minister Mélanie Joly later told reporters that Carney and Trump are talking to each other.

US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have been in direct contact trying to reach a trade deal, but the two sides still have work to do to find agreement, according to people familiar with the discussions.