In a firm declaration during his Oval Office meeting with President Trump on Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made it clear that Canada is not, and will never be, available for purchase. His comments came directly after President Trump spoke admiringly about the possibility of the U.S. and Canada uniting, referring to the border as “artificial” and romanticizing a potential merger between the two nations.
Although Trump acknowledged that discussions about the U.S. absorbing Canada were not on the formal agenda, he didn’t hide his affection for the idea. “We’re not talking about it unless somebody wants to discuss it,” he said. “But there would be tremendous benefits to Canada in a wonderful marriage.”
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, President Trump leaned into his background in property development to frame his thinking. “As a real estate developer, you know, I’m a real estate developer at heart,” he said. “When you get rid of that artificially drawn line… when you look at that beautiful formation when it’s together, I’m a very artistic person.”
Carney jumped in with an analogy he believed Trump would appreciate, aiming to shut down any lingering hopes. “As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale,” he said. “We’re sitting in one right now, Buckingham Palace that you visited, as well. And having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign the last several months, it’s not for sale, it won’t be for sale, ever. But the opportunity is in the partnership and what we can build together.”
When asked whether Carney’s firm opposition would complicate negotiations between the two countries, President Trump brushed off the suggestion. “No, not at all,” he said. Still, Trump made clear that he wasn’t entirely letting go of the idea. “But I say, ‘never say never.’”
The meeting marked Carney’s first visit to the White House since taking office. He entered the role vowing to take a principled stand against the Trump administration on contentious issues such as trade and border policy.
President Trump began the session by offering congratulations to Carney on his election victory, with his trademark bravado. “I think I was probably the greatest thing that happened to him,” Trump said.
Despite their differences, Trump emphasized that the relationship between the nations would remain intact. “We’re gonna be friends with Canada,” he said. “Regardless of anything, we’re going to be friends with Canada.”
On the matter of trade, President Trump said there was nothing Carney could say during the meeting to reverse American tariffs on Canadian imports. Carney replied that it was part of a “bigger discussion.”
Tensions have escalated between the U.S. and Canada, fueled in part by Trump’s comments about making Canada a U.S. state and the tariffs his administration has imposed.
During his victory address, Carney signaled a turning point in bilateral relations, saying that the old dynamic of close economic and defense cooperation “is over.” He urged Canadians to “fundamentally reimagine our economy” in response to the evolving trade landscape under Trump’s policies.
In an interview with the BBC prior to his trip, Carney made it clear that Ottawa would only enter into trade or security negotiations with Washington “on our terms.” A Liberal Party figure, Carney assumed leadership in March and was quickly elevated to prime minister.
The United States imposed a 25% import tax on Canadian goods not covered under the USMCA on March 4. Trump stated that the measure was in response to the flow of fentanyl and migrants crossing from Canada. In 2024, U.S. border agents intercepted 43 pounds of fentanyl coming from the north, compared to over 21,000 pounds from the southern border. In retaliation, Canada slapped its own tariffs on American products.
Ahead of Carney’s visit, Trump wrote on social media: “We don’t need their Cars, we don’t need their Energy, we don’t need their Lumber, we don’t need ANYTHING they have, other than their friendship, which hopefully we will always maintain. They, on the other hand, need EVERYTHING from us!”
In an interview that aired over the weekend, President Trump floated the notion of Canada becoming the 51st state but said he did not foresee any military action being necessary. “I don’t see it with Canada. I just don’t see it,” he said on NBC News’ Meet the Press.
Carney has made it plain that any discussion of Canadian statehood is not on the table. He also stated that the topic never came up during his latest call with President Trump.
“It’s always important to distinguish want from reality,” Carney remarked last week. “What the Canadian people clearly have stated, virtually without exception, is this will never, never happen.”
{Matzav.com}