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The Canadian prime minister is meeting with President Trump, days after being elected on an anti-Trump platform as relations between the two allies are at a historic nadir.
May 6, 2025Updated 3:23 p.m. ET
Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada had one key goal in his high-stakes meeting with President Trump on Tuesday: say, in no uncertain terms, that Canada is not going to become the 51st state, while avoiding a public fight.
And he succeeded.
“As you know from real estate, there are some places that are not for sale,” Mr. Carney said solemnly. “It’s not for sale. It won’t be for sale, ever,” he added.
“Never say never,” Mr. Trump replied. But the moment’s potency had been defused, and Mr. Trump clearly was not interested in having a fight with Mr. Carney, whom he praised for a stunning electoral victory just a few days ago.
The relationship between the next-door neighbors, allies and top trading partners has been at a historic low since Mr. Trump’s re-election, because of his decision to impose tariffs on Canadian goods and his constant refrain that he wants to make Canada part of the United States.
Less than an hour before Mr. Carney arrived at the White House, Mr. Trump unloaded on Canada in a bellicose post on Truth Social, repeating his frequent criticisms that the country was too dependent on the United States.
“We don’t need ANYTHING they have, other than their friendship, which hopefully we will always maintain,” Mr. Trump wrote. “They, on the other hand, need EVERYTHING from us!”
