President Donald Trump met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House Tuesday, addressing topics including trade, tariffs, and the relationship between the two countries. The first meeting between the leaders saw discussions touch on economic policy and future cooperation, alongside some unexpected commentary from President Trump.
President Trump reiterated his desire for Canada to become a 51st American state during the Oval Office session. He suggested the union would benefit Canadians through tax cuts and economic advantages. Prime Minister Carney directly addressed the notion, stating some places, including the White House, are "never for sale." (Source)
Trade relations were also a point of focus. President Trump defended his use of tariffs, including those impacting Canadian imports. He characterized trade with Canada from a United States perspective, saying "We don’t do much business with Canada from our standpoint," a claim not aligned with official trade data showing hundreds of billions in annual bilateral trade.Amidst the policy discussions, President Trump referenced hockey players. He spoke highly of Wayne Gretzky, calling him "The Great One." He then mentioned Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, describing him as a "big, tough cookie" who recently broke a record. While praising Ovechkin, Trump appeared to suggest the player was Canadian, when the NHL goal scorer is Russian.
President Trump has commented on Wayne Gretzky previously, including on his social media platform. A post earlier this year described Gretzky as a "fantastic guy" and a friend, but also noted that Gretzky supports Canada remaining independent, despite Trump's view that Canada would be better as part of the United States.
The meeting covered a range of topics reflecting the complex relationship between the neighboring nations. While economic matters and potential political shifts were central, comments on sports figures added a distinct element to the high-level talks.
The Canadian Prime Minister remained firm on his country's position regarding independence. Carney responded to President Trump's suggestion of Canada joining the union by saying, "As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale... It's not for sale. It won't be for sale."
