Carney rejects U.S. annexation hints as Trump emphasizes friendship in White House summit

In a widely anticipated meeting at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump and newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney struck a cordial tone, despite underlying tensions that have recently defined cross-border relations. The encounter marked the first official discussion between the two leaders following Carney’s recent election victory, and although Trump floated the provocative idea of Canada becoming the 51st state, Carney firmly dismissed it.

Trump, known for his combative rhetoric toward Canada in the past, unexpectedly extended an olive branch during the meeting. “We just want to be friends with Canada,” he stated during a press conference in the Oval Office, signaling a more diplomatic approach than in previous months when he had targeted Canada’s trade practices and criticized former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Carney, whose campaign was strongly rooted in preserving Canada’s sovereignty in the face of U.S. pressure, responded with both praise and firm boundaries. He called Trump a “transformational president” but made it clear that any notion of Canada joining the United States was out of the question. “Some places are simply not for sale,” he said, using real estate terminology Trump would appreciate. When Trump lightly pushed back with “never say never,” Carney smiled and repeated, “never, never, never, never.”

The summit drew intense media attention, arguably becoming one of the most closely watched Canada-U.S. meetings in decades. Trump’s earlier threats to impose sweeping tariffs, and his claim that the U.S. “subsidizes” Canada by $200 billion annually, had raised concerns about the future of bilateral relations.

On social media shortly before Carney’s arrival, Trump reiterated his grievances, insisting the U.S. no longer needed Canadian goods but hoped to preserve a friendly relationship. He added that while the U.S. could survive without Canadian imports like energy, lumber, or automobiles, Canada was heavily reliant on American support.

Carney used the meeting to reiterate Canada’s independence and rebut Trump’s economic accusations. Though he avoided personal criticism, likely recognizing the deeply intertwined trade relationship between the two nations, worth over C$1 trillion, Carney emphasized that diplomacy had to be rooted in mutual respect.

Trade issues were central to the discussions. Trump revisited his dissatisfaction with the USMCA, the trade agreement that replaced NAFTA, labeling the original pact as the “worst deal in history.” He hinted at intentions to renegotiate parts of the current framework, particularly tariffs on Canadian metals and automobiles. When asked if Carney could persuade him to lift these tariffs, Trump flatly answered, “No.”

Despite these differences, Carney characterized the conversation as “constructive,” noting that further talks were planned, including a follow-up discussion at the upcoming G7 summit in Canada. He acknowledged the complexity of the U.S.-Canada relationship, noting that while disagreements exist, they do not erase the value of ongoing dialogue.

The Canadian delegation accompanying Carney included key ministers and diplomatic figures such as Dominic LeBlanc (international trade), Mélanie Joly (foreign affairs), David McGuinty (public safety), and Canada’s ambassador to Washington, Kirsten Hillman. On the American side, Trump was joined by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Trump, while expressing appreciation for Carney’s leadership, could not resist attacking previous Canadian officials, particularly former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, whom he accused of mishandling past trade negotiations. “She tried to take advantage of the deal, and she didn’t get away with it,” Trump remarked.

Meanwhile, Canadian provincial leaders weighed in on the state of U.S.-Canada relations. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, known for his populist stance, expressed frustration with Trump’s trade policies. “He drives me nuts,” Ford said, emphasizing that the U.S. depends heavily on Canadian resources like potash, nickel, and uranium. He also pointed to declining U.S. approval ratings for Trump as evidence that Americans were growing weary of the trade conflict.

Ford’s remarks echoed a broader sentiment among Canadian leaders, that while cooperation with the U.S. remains crucial, Canada must assert its autonomy. “We’ll fix his little red wagon after the midterms,” Ford added, reflecting a belief that political shifts in the U.S. might temper Trump’s more aggressive stances.

As both nations navigate the future of their partnership, the meeting marked a symbolic reset. Whether the goodwill displayed in Washington translates into lasting cooperation or merely masks deeper rifts remains to be seen.