Former U.S. President Donald Trump met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House, where Trump reaffirmed his intention to maintain tariffs on Canadian goods, a measure that has strained trade relations between the two countries. Although Trump expressed a desire for Canada to become part of the United States, he acknowledged the strong opposition among Canadians to the idea.
Carney, who recently became Prime Minister following his electoral victory, made it clear that annexation was not an option. “As with real estate, some places are never for sale. Canada is one of them,” Carney stated, emphasizing that the country is not, and will never be, available for sale.
Trump’s tariffs, including a 25% duty on Canadian steel, have raised concerns in Canada. The former U.S. president argued that the tariffs are meant to boost American manufacturing. However, Carney argued that the current provisions of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) need to be revised to prevent their misuse.
Carney, who succeeded Justin Trudeau after his resignation, gained popularity by firmly defending Canadian interests against Trump’s policies. His willingness to challenge the former president was a key factor in his electoral success.
The meeting between the two leaders was viewed as an opportunity to reset the bilateral relationship, which has been impacted by recent trade tensions and political rhetoric.
