Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a firm and unmistakable message to President Donald Trump during his White House visit on Tuesday: Canada is not, and will never be, up for sale.
“There are some places that are never for sale,” Carney told Trump in the Oval Office, responding to the president’s repeated suggestion that the United States should absorb Canada as its 51st state. “We won’t be for sale ever,” he added, underscoring the sovereignty Canadians fiercely protect.
Trump, undeterred, responded with his usual unpredictability. “Never say never,” he quipped, leaving the door open to an idea that has stirred both backlash and ridicule north of the border.
The exchange reflected a deeper rift between the two countries, as Trump’s remarks have not only reignited Canadian nationalism but also complicated ongoing trade discussions. Though both leaders maintained a courteous tone in public, Trump’s statements on social media painted a more confrontational picture.
Ahead of the meeting, Trump posted on Truth Social: “I cannot understand why the U.S. is subsidizing Canada by $200 Billion Dollars a year, in addition to giving them FREE Military Protection, and many other things?” His claim, which includes defense costs and the trade deficit, has been widely disputed by economists.
The actual trade deficit between the U.S. and Canada stood at $63.3 billion last year, with over $400 billion in Canadian goods flowing into the American market, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Trump continued his critique, dismissing Canada’s economic contributions. “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,” he posted, except for “their friendship, which hopefully we will always maintain.”
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick echoed the sentiment on Fox Business, claiming Canada had been “feeding off of us for decades,” accusing the country’s government of relying on American support while maintaining a “socialist regime.”
Despite the harsh words, both sides claimed the conversation did not derail trade talks. When asked whether Carney’s statehood stance would affect negotiations, Trump replied, “Time will tell.”
Carney, who recently led his Liberal Party to an election victory seen by many as a rejection of Trump-style politics, reaffirmed Canada’s position after the meeting. “Respectfully, Canadians’ view on this is not going to change,” he said.
Trump has long made headlines with controversial remarks about trade partners. This latest episode adds to the growing list of diplomatic strains his administration has caused with allied nations.
Meanwhile, Canadian exports to the United States have taken a hit, falling 6.6% in March. In contrast, shipments to other countries jumped nearly 25%, signaling a shift in Canada’s trade strategy amid worsening tensions with Washington.
For Carney, Tuesday’s meeting was a balancing act — signaling openness to dialogue while drawing a hard line on national identity. For Trump, it was another chance to push his America-first vision, even at the expense of long-standing alliances.
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