In a high-profile Oval Office meeting, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confronted U.S. President Donald Trump over his controversial suggestion that Canada could become the 51st state. Declaring Canada "is not for sale, ever," Carney countered Trump’s views during their first encounter since he won the election.
Despite recent tensions marked by tariffs on Canadian goods, both leaders exchanged compliments, acknowledging each other's political journeys. Trump lauded Carney's election as a remarkable comeback, while Carney referred to Trump as a "transformational president." However, the atmosphere turned tense as Trump reiterated his view that Canada would benefit from joining the U.S.
Carney responded cleverly, comparing Canada’s status to iconic properties that are "never for sale." He made it clear that the sentiments he gathered from Canadians during his campaign drove home the importance of their sovereignty. When questioned about lifting tariffs, Trump pressed that Canada must be economically independent, stating, “No, it’s just the way it is.”
This encounter highlighted the ongoing economic ties between the two nations, with over $760 billion in goods traded last year. Carney emphasized the need for Canada to rethink its economy in light of U.S. pressures, foreshadowing the continued complexities of U.S.-Canada relations under Trump's leadership.
