“Canada Is Not for Sale”: PM Carney Pushes Back on Statehood Talk
6 May: In a closely watched diplomatic debut, Prime Minister Mark Carney met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House for their first official face-to-face talks since Carney’s election. The meeting came against a backdrop of rising trade tensions, renewed questions of Canadian sovereignty, and Trump’s public musings about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state.
Carney entered the Oval Office encounter with a clear goal: defend Canada’s economic interests, affirm its independence, and establish a refreshed tone in cross-border relations. Though no major trade breakthroughs were announced, both leaders agreed to continue the dialogue in the coming weeks and reconnect at the G7 Summit in Alberta this June.
“Canada Is Not for Sale”: Carney Pushes Back on Statehood Talk
A major flashpoint in the meeting was Trump’s long-standing quip that Canada should join the U.S. as its next state. Carney dismissed the idea firmly yet diplomatically, saying during a joint press conference:
“Canada is not for sale — and won’t be for sale ever. The opportunity is in the partnership.”
When Trump jested “Never say never,” Carney playfully mouthed “Never, never, never, never, never,” drawing laughs from observers.
Speaking later in French, Carney confirmed he told the president there was “no need to repeat that idea,” and reminded him that Canada and the U.S. are sovereign nations engaged in negotiation—not absorption.
A Reset in Tone: “Beginning of a New Relationship”
Carney later posted on X, saying the meeting marked
“the beginning of a new relationship between Canada and the United States — based on respect, built on common interests, and to the transformational benefit of both our nations.”
According to a senior Canadian official, the tone throughout the visit remained cordial and constructive, including a working lunch where Trump reportedly asked for Carney’s input on sensitive foreign policy topics, including the Arctic and defence cooperation.
Trade Talks: No Concessions Yet, but Dialogue Begins
Carney acknowledged that expectations for sweeping deals were low heading into the summit:
“I wasn’t expecting white smoke today,” he remarked, referencing the Vatican tradition of signaling a new Pope. “But we had tangible, comprehensive discussions—and yes, we made progress.”
However, Trump flatly rejected any suggestion of lifting tariffs on Canadian goods, stating bluntly:
“No. It’s just the way it is.”
When asked specifically about Canadian automotive exports, Trump claimed:
“We want to make our own cars. We don’t really want cars from Canada. Or Canadian steel. Or Canadian aluminum.”
Carney responded by pointing to Canada’s significance as the U.S.’s largest trading partner and highlighted the deep integration of the North American auto sector.
CUSMA Under Pressure
With the CUSMA trade agreement up for review in 2026, Carney said it could serve as a foundation for wider negotiations, but emphasized that “some things are going to have to change.” When asked if the U.S. would withdraw from the deal, Trump replied:
“No, it’s fine. It’s there. It’s good.”
Carney’s Style: Calm, Calculated, and Sometimes Too Subtle?
Notable moments in the Oval Office revealed Carney’s understated approach. According to body language expert Mark Bowden, Trump showed unusual respect for Carney, opting not to deploy his typical dominant handshake tactics.
“Trump didn’t try to unbalance him. That alone signals a certain level of respect,” said Bowden.
However, Bowden also noted that Carney, accustomed to boardrooms where a raised finger commands attention, often struggled to interject in Trump’s stream-of-consciousness style. “In the Oval Office, you need bigger regulator gestures,” he explained.
Canadian Voices Respond
Ontario Premier Doug Ford praised the meeting, calling it a strong first step in rebooting bilateral ties.
“President Trump clearly likes Carney more than he liked Trudeau,” Ford remarked.
Meanwhile, former U.S. ambassador Frank McKenna rejected Trump’s claim that the U.S. doesn’t need Canadian exports. “They need our oil, gas, and potash,” he said. “What we’re seeing is the U.S. building a tariff wall—like a toll highway.”
Carney’s Closing Message: Strength at Home, Partnership Abroad
Carney wrapped up his U.S. visit by reaffirming his domestic agenda: strengthening border and Arctic security, boosting defence spending, and building a resilient economy he hopes will become the strongest in the G7.
As he left the White House for the Canadian Embassy, Carney struck a tone of quiet confidence: sovereignty defended, diplomacy started, and a new Canada-U.S. chapter unfolding—on Canada’s terms.
