OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney is seeking a united political front as Canada faces an escalating trade conflict with the United States, turning the tariff dispute into a major test for Ottawa.

Carney held calls with opposition party leaders on Tuesday to brief them on Canada's response to the latest U.S. tariffs and stressed the importance of a “united Team Canada approach” to protecting Canadian jobs and economic interests.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said he was prepared to work with the government but called for Parliament to be recalled and for Ottawa to release the text of the proposed U.S. trade deal that Canada rejected. He also urged the government to introduce a broader economic action plan.

NDP Leader Avi Lewis supported the decision to walk away from what he described as a bad deal, while arguing that stronger measures are needed to protect workers affected by tariffs. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet also discussed issues including supply management and support for Canadian cultural production.

The political discussions come after Ottawa announced new retaliatory measures against U.S. goods and a $7.5-billion support package for businesses and workers affected by the trade conflict.

With Parliament set to return and the economic consequences of the tariff dispute becoming clearer, Carney’s ability to maintain cross-party and provincial support could become a defining political challenge for his government.