Canada ‘Not for Sale,’ Carney to Trump
Dubela, Prinona Ghosh: On Tuesday, during their first official meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the idea of Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state—an idea Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney firmly rejected.
While the meeting began with polite smiles and a cordial handshake, the conversation quickly turned serious. Trump said he intended to raise the “tough points” that have strained U.S.-Canada relations, including his decision to impose tariffs on Canadian goods.
“We’re not going to be discussing that unless someone wants to discuss it,” Trump said, referring to the statehood idea, which he called a “wonderful marriage.” Carney promptly dismissed the suggestion in the Oval Office, saying, “It’s not for sale, and it won’t be for sale—ever.”
“Never say never, never say never,” Trump replied, adding that he wanted to maintain a friendly relationship with Canada regardless of the disagreements. Later, Trump took to social media to express his frustration, questioning why the U.S. was “subsidizing” Canada by $200 billion a year and providing “free military protection.” He insisted that the U.S. didn’t need Canadian energy, lumber, or vehicles—just its friendship.
Mark Carney, a 60-year-old former central banker with no prior political experience, was elected Liberal leader after winning the April 28 election. He succeeded Justin Trudeau, promising to challenge Trump’s aggressive trade policies and build a new economic and security partnership with the U.S. After Mexico, Canada is the U.S.’s second-largest trading partner, with $760 billion in goods exchanged between the two countries last year.
Trade between the two nations has already been affected. U.S. data showed Canadian exports to the U.S. dropped by $3.7 billion in March—the second-biggest drop on record. Canada, in response, has been working to soften the impact by expanding trade with other countries. On Sunday, Trump floated a 100% tariff on all foreign films, a move that could significantly impact Canada’s film industry.
