In his first official visit to the White House, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney firmly pushed back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s past musings about annexing Canada, declaring, “It’s not for sale – ever.”
Carney, elected just over a week ago on a promise to defend Canada’s sovereignty, met Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday. The two leaders exchanged polite remarks for the press, but Carney quickly shut down any talk of U.S. absorption of Canada. Trump responded with his trademark ambiguity: “Never say never.”
Despite trade tensions, both sides avoided confrontation. Trump said they would not be discussing annexation seriously but called the idea “a wonderful marriage.” Carney used the opportunity to reiterate Canada’s independence and resist Trump’s aggressive tariff policies, which have shaken Canada’s export-heavy economy.
Carney’s visit followed months of strained U.S.-Canada relations, particularly after Trump imposed steep tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and cars. Ahead of the meeting, Trump also floated a 100% tariff on foreign films—a move that could impact Canada’s thriving entertainment sector.
While Trump showed little interest in lifting tariffs, a senior Canadian official described their private lunch as “constructive,” with Carney challenging U.S. policies diplomatically. “He pushed back respectfully, without triggering a Trump rant,” said political analyst Greg MacEachern.
Carney did not propose a full overhaul of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement but hinted that certain elements should be updated. Trump, meanwhile, took the opportunity to criticize Carney’s predecessor, Justin Trudeau, and expressed lingering frustration with past negotiations.
As tensions simmer, Carney stressed the importance of building a rebalanced economic and security relationship, aiming to reduce Canadian dependence on the U.S. while preserving vital trade ties. Over $760 billion in goods moved between the two nations last year.