The meeting brought both cordial gestures and moments of underlying tension as Trump floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state of the United States.
Carney ran his election campaign with a strong focus on defending Canadian sovereignty and standing up to the unpredictability of the Trump administration. That message resonated with voters concerned about recent US tariffs and growing economic pressures.
Despite the relaxed tone of the Oval Office meeting, the two leaders were at odds over trade and security issues. Trump has imposed a series of tariffs on Canadian goods, and they remain a key source of friction.
Adding to the strain, Trump reiterated his criticism that Canada has not done enough to curb the flow of fentanyl into the US. He also took aim at past defence spending levels and questioned the value of certain Canadian exports.
Trump praised Carney’s political comeback and described him in glowing terms, while Carney acknowledged Trump’s influence on global affairs. However, the mood shifted when Trump jokingly revisited the idea of annexing Canada.
Carney responded with a calm but unmistakable firmness, drawing comparisons to iconic institutions that are not for sale. Although Trump dismissed the exchange with a quip, he stood firm on tariffs, signalling no immediate intention to remove them. He stressed a desire to retain control over American industries and markets, suggesting that the onus was on other nations, not the US, to seek trade agreements.
Carney later reiterated Canada’s position during a press briefing at the Canadian Embassy. While acknowledging the complexity of the current trade environment, he said that the two sides had agreed to continue discussions and that negotiations would resume in the coming weeks. He also pressed the point again that Canada’s sovereignty was non-negotiable and dismissed the president’s annexation comments as wishful thinking. He added that a potential annexation “was not grounded in reality”.
The meeting stood in contrast to previous diplomatic rows under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Though disagreements persist, both leaders left the door open for ongoing dialogue.
With over $760 billion in annual bilateral trade, the stakes are high. As tensions simmer, Carney’s visit has set the tone for what may be a more measured but no less assertive Canadian approach to navigating the Trump era.
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