Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made it clear to President Donald Trump that Canada is not for sale and never will be, addressing Trump’s ongoing suggestions that the northern neighbor should become the 51st U.S. state.
In their initial meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Carney countered Trump’s annexation rhetoric by making a real estate analogy that resonated with Trump, a former businessman, stating that some properties are simply not on the market.
“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 during the White House meeting.
Trump was not swayed by this stance, responding that many things he once viewed as impossible eventually became possible. He suggested that time might change the situation, reiterating his phrase “never say never” when discussing Canada’s potential future as a U.S. state.
The exchange underscored the increasing tension between the two allies, as Carney, elected partly on an anti-Trump platform, faced the challenge of opposing Trump’s expansionist ideas while maintaining diplomatic relations.
Later in the meeting, Carney reiterated that Canadians’ stance on becoming the 51st state is unchanged, aiming to end further discussion on the matter. Nevertheless, Trump has consistently maintained that Canada would gain from becoming part of the United States.
This meeting followed months of provocative remarks from Trump, who told TIME magazine in April that he was not “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 is not limited to Canada. He has repeatedly expressed intentions to acquire Greenland from Denmark, despite firm rejections from Danish and Greenlandic officials. The autonomous Danish territory holds strategic importance due to its location and natural resources, including rare earth minerals required for technologies like electric vehicle batteries.
In March, Trump stated during an address to Congress that the U.S. would secure Greenland “one way or the other,” asserting it’s crucial 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 visited Greenland in January, indicating 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 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. They exchanged compliments multiple times, contrasting with Trump’s strained relationship with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom he often 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 exploit existing aspects of the USMCA, suggesting the agreement would need modification. 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.
