The thing about Donald Trump is that the satisfaction of doing a deal seems to be as much about the thrill of the negotiation, as it is about settling something. He begins his autobiographical 'The Art of the Deal,' "I don't do it for the money... I do it, to do it. ... That's how I get my kicks."So Prime Minister Carney, relaxing in his Kananaskis hotel room may well regard it as a good outcome that President Trump thinks it can all be wrapped up in a few weeks. Certainly, that beats an on-camera storm.Nevertheless, he has to be asking himself first, 'What is all?' and second, 'Define wrapped up.'.That, after all, is what happened to the British government. Early in May, British PM Sir Keir Starmer played his assigned role in the Oval Office meeting with Trump and the president announced to the world that the two countries had come together on a monumental trade deal. It was huge. Indeed it was so huge, it was as if 1776 had never happened.That was nearly six weeks ago.Today we learned that the US-UK deal was signed right there at Kananaskis, when Trump dropped some papers on a table and said "We signed it and it's done."One can only conclude that in May, there remained a few details to be resolved. Or perhaps Mr. Trump, who is famous for changing his mind on things, wanted something revisited. We don't know.If the book is any guide, Mr. Carney is where the British were, in May..In his case, that means a 'deal' on tariffs could be done, perhaps in the few weeks Mr. Trump has suggested. Or at least, a deal might be closer. Why? Auto manufacturers in the US are just as anxious for certainty as are Canadian manufacturers and part suppliers. It's not that they have a principled objection to returning auto production to the US. However, it takes time -— years. Meanwhile they have to operate. And, they have the president's ear..No doubt many Canadians would heave a massive sigh of relief, if 'in a few weeks,' the Canadian auto industry was 'saved.'But, Trump likes to deal... And if agreement can be reached upon car-making, there remains continental defence, border policy, immigration and the drug trade. And the longer the president's supposed indecision continues — actually his application of pressure to feed uncertainty — the more eager the other side becomes to get a deal, any deal, for the sake of... well, certainty.No doubt Mr. Carney understands this.Canadians should, as well. For, after the deals on the auto industry, continental defence, border policy, immigration and the drug trade are all done, there remains the renegotiation of the free trade Canada-US-Mexico-Agreement...This could take a while. But Mr. Trump? He's just getting his kicks!Breathe slowly, the sigh of relief.
