The new Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, told President Donald Trump that Canada is not for sale and never will be, following Trump’s suggestions that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state.
During their first meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, May 6, Carney challenged Trump’s annexation rhetoric by drawing a real estate comparison that resonated with Trump, noting that some properties simply aren’t available.
“Having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign the last several months, it’s not for sale. Won’t be for sale ever,” Carney said at the White House.
Trump, however, was unmoved by Canada’s position, responding that many things he once considered impossible eventually became achievable. The president suggested that time might change the situation, repeating his catchphrase “never say never” when discussing Canada’s potential future as a U.S. state.
The exchange highlighted the growing tension between the longtime allies, as Carney, who won his election partly on an anti-Trump platform, faced the difficult task of pushing back against Trump’s expansionist rhetoric while maintaining diplomatic relations.
Later in the meeting, Carney emphasized that Canadians’ position on becoming the 51st state is not going to change, attempting to close the door on further discussion of the topic. Despite this, Trump has consistently maintained that Canada would benefit from becoming part of the United States.
The meeting comes after months of provocative statements from Trump, who told TIME magazine in April that he wasn’t “trolling” when discussing making Canada a state. In that interview, Trump claimed the U.S. is losing money supporting Canada’s military and other aspects of Canadian life.
Trump’s interest in territorial expansion extends beyond Canada. He has repeatedly expressed the intention to acquire Greenland from Denmark, despite firm rejections from both Danish and Greenlandic officials. The autonomous Danish territory has strategic importance due to its location and natural resources, including rare earth minerals needed for technologies like electric vehicle batteries.
In March, Trump declared during an address to Congress that the U.S. would secure Greenland “one way or the other,” claiming it’s necessary for national and international security. This prompted Greenland’s prime minister to respond that the territory “is not for sale and cannot simply be taken.”
Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland in March to tour the U.S. military’s Pituffik Space Base, where he confirmed the administration’s interest in expanding the American presence on the island. Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., also made a visit to Greenland in January, further signaling the administration’s serious consideration of acquisition.
Equally concerning to U.S. allies is Trump’s stated intention to “reclaim” the Panama Canal, which was transferred to Panamanian control in 1999. During his congressional address, Trump announced that his administration had “already started” working to gain control of the canal, pointing to a deal that would give an American company control of key ports.
Trump has framed his desire to control the canal as a matter of national security, falsely claiming it’s currently “operated by China.” The Panamanian government has repeatedly disputed these claims, stating that the canal remains under Panamanian control through the Panama Canal Authority.
When asked about potentially using military force to acquire Greenland or the Panama Canal, Trump has declined to rule out such action. In January, he stated he wouldn’t commit to avoiding military options, saying both territories are vital to American security interests.
Despite the tensions over sovereignty issues, Tuesday’s meeting between Trump and Carney was described as constructive by both leaders. The two complimented each other multiple times during their exchange, a stark contrast from Trump’s icy relationship with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom he regularly referred to as “Governor Trudeau.”
The leaders also discussed trade issues, with Trump maintaining his position on tariffs against Canadian goods. A 25% tariff imposed by the U.S. remains in place for Canadian products that don’t comply with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), along with a 10% tariff on Canadian oil imports and a 25% tariff on cars, auto parts, steel, and aluminum.
Carney argued that these tariffs take advantage of existing aspects of the USMCA, suggesting the agreement would need to change. Both leaders acknowledged they would engage in discussions about renegotiating or potentially terminating the deal over the coming year.
Despite their disagreements, Trump described the meeting as “great” and expressed optimism about the future relationship between the two countries. Carney similarly characterized the talks as productive, saying progress had been made with “comprehensive tangible exchanges.”
The leaders are expected to meet again at the G7 summit in Canada in mid-June, where discussions on trade and territorial sovereignty will likely continue.
