Former President Donald Trump arrived at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to meet with Senate Republicans, hours after calling off a signing ceremony for a housing bill. The meeting comes amid heightened political tensions and a recent poll showing only 33 per cent of Canadians view the U.S. favourably since Trump’s second term began.
Meeting with Senate GOP
Trump’s visit to Capitol Hill was originally scheduled to include a signing ceremony for a housing bill aimed at increasing affordable housing supply. However, the event was canceled without public explanation. Instead, Trump met behind closed doors with Senate Republican leaders to discuss legislative priorities and the upcoming midterm elections.
According to a Senate aide who spoke on condition of anonymity, the meeting focused on economic issues, border security, and energy policy. Trump reportedly urged senators to remain unified on key votes and to push back against Democratic initiatives.
Canada-U.S. Relations Strained
The meeting occurs as tensions between the United States and Canada continue to rise. A recent poll conducted by the Angus Reid Institute found that only one-third of Canadians hold a favourable view of the U.S., a sharp decline from previous years. The poll, released June 23, surveyed 1,500 Canadian adults and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
“The drop in favourability is directly linked to trade disputes and rhetoric from the Trump administration,” said Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute. “Canadians are increasingly viewing the U.S. as an unreliable partner.”
The strained relationship has implications for cross-border trade, with Canada being the United States’ second-largest trading partner. Bilateral trade exceeded $725 billion in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Housing Bill Controversy
The canceled housing bill, known as the Affordable Housing Expansion Act, was a bipartisan effort to streamline zoning regulations and provide federal grants for low-income housing development. Trump had been expected to sign it at a White House ceremony, but the event was abruptly removed from his schedule.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the cancellation was due to “scheduling conflicts,” but sources close to the administration indicated that Trump had concerns about certain provisions related to environmental impact assessments. The bill’s future remains uncertain, though Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) expressed confidence that it would eventually pass.
“We’re working through some technical issues,” Thune told reporters. “The president remains committed to increasing housing affordability.”
Other Developments
During the Capitol visit, Trump also addressed the recent surge in speeding violations following the removal of automated speed cameras in several states. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that drivers exceeding posted limits by more than 20 mph have increased nearly 400 per cent since the cameras were deactivated.
In other news, a moderate earthquake struck Northern California early Wednesday morning, with a magnitude of 5.1 centered near the town of Willits. No injuries or significant damage were reported, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
