WASHINGTON — In a marked departure from past tensions, President Donald Trump’s first meeting with Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, unfolded with far less friction than his previous encounters with former PM Justin Trudeau. Still, Carney made clear on Tuesday that Canada has no intention of becoming part of the United States.
“Some things, like prime real estate, just aren’t for sale,” Carney, the former central banker, remarked. Trump, seated beside him, nodded in agreement. “You visited Buckingham Palace — that’s one. And after months on the campaign trail speaking with Canadians across the country, I can say this without hesitation: Canada isn’t for sale. Not now, not ever.” Their exchange was peppered with mutual praise, a notable shift from the cold dynamic Trump had with Trudeau, whom he frequently mocked as “Governor Trudeau.”
Whether this newfound friendliness signals lasting cooperation remains uncertain, especially as Trump continues to press Canada on trade and sovereignty matters.
Even as Carney firmly stated that the country would never be sold, Trump responded with his signature bravado: “Never say never.” He later told reporters that Carney hadn’t said anything during the meeting that would change his mind about lifting tariffs. When asked why, Trump shrugged off the question: “That’s just how it is.”
Tensions between the two allies have been running high following Trump’s imposition of sweeping tariffs on Canadian exports — a move that played a significant role in Carney’s election win last month, fueled by a surge in anti-American government sentiment.
Opening the meeting to the press, Trump struck a surprisingly conciliatory tone. “I have a lot of respect for Prime Minister Carney,” he said. Carney, in turn, thanked Trump for his hospitality and praised his leadership.
“We’re going to be great friends with Canada,” Trump declared — a sharp contrast to his antagonistic tone toward the country in recent months.
During his victory speech after the Liberal Party’s election win, Carney didn’t mince words about Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st state. “These are not idle threats,” he warned. “President Trump wants to break Canada so the U.S. can own us. That is never — never — going to happen.”
Just hours before the leaders met, Trump took to Truth Social to vent.
“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,” he wrote. “They, on the other hand, need EVERYTHING from us! The Prime Minister will be arriving shortly, and that will be, most likely, my only question of consequence.”
Despite Trump’s posturing, the U.S. remains heavily reliant on Canadian imports — including cars, crude oil, lumber, and aluminum — totaling hundreds of billions of dollars annually. His remarks and the new tariffs have only worsened Canadian public opinion toward the U.S.
The backlash has been visible. Canadian hockey fans have booed the American national anthem. Boycotts of U.S. goods have taken root. And Ottawa responded to Washington’s tariffs with countermeasures of their own.
Trump justified the tariffs on Canada and Mexico as part of an effort to curb the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. However, data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection show that of the 21,900 pounds of fentanyl seized in fiscal 2024, just 43 pounds came from the northern border.
Carney, for his part, struck a diplomatic tone ahead of the meeting.
In a video posted to X on Monday showing his arrival in Washington, he wrote: “Canada and the United States are strongest when we work together — and that work starts now.”
