Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney said on Monday that President Donald Trump of the United States must stop making disrespectful comments about his country before the two countries can start serious talks about future ties.

Trump, who is reportedly promising potentially crippling tariffs against imports from Canada, frequently muses about making the country the 51st US state.

“We’ve called out those comments. They’re disrespectful, they’re not helpful, and they will have to stop before we sit down and have a conversation about our broader partnership with the United States,” Carney told said.

It was learnt that Carney’s remarks are his toughest yet on Trump since launching his political career in January.

Carney, who was sworn in last Friday, has yet to speak to Trump and the US president has remained silent about his appointment.

According to Carney, Canada wanted a more comprehensive discussion and negotiation of the two neighbors’ overall commercial and security relationship.

“When the United States is ready to have that conversation, we’re more than ready to sit down,” he said.

It could be recalled that Canada has retaliated with tariffs against tens of billions of dollars’ worth of US imports.

The newly inaugurated prime minister said Ottawa would only take action it thought could affect US behavior.

“So this will be very deliberate and there is a limit, full stop. There is a limit to matching these tariffs, dollar for dollar, given the fact that our economy is a tenth the size the United States,” he added.

Canada: Trump must stop disrespectful comments before bilateral talks can start – PM Carney