In his first official visit to Washington, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney firmly dismissed US President Donald Trump’s repeated remarks about annexing Canada, declaring during their meeting: “Canada is not for sale.”
Welcoming Carney after his recent election win, Trump said: “I think Canada chose a very talented person. I think we have a lot of things in common. We have some tough, tough points to go over, and that will be fine.”
That goodwill prefaced a potentially tense encounter. Trump’s renewed calls for making Canada the 51st state and the ongoing trade disputes between the two countries meant the meeting had the potential to turn contentious - like his earlier clash with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy.
Seated with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio nearby, Carney remained composed as Trump mused once again about a US-Canada union.
“It would really be a wonderful marriage,” Trump said. “They like each other a lot... It takes two to tango, right?”
Trump continued, insisting that once-unthinkable ideas can become reality: “I’ve had many things people said weren’t doable, and they ended up being doable. If it’s to everybody’s benefit… we’ll see what happens.”
Carney, who campaigned on defending Canadian sovereignty, didn’t hesitate to dismiss the notion. “Canada is not for sale,” he said. “It won’t be for sale - ever. The opportunity lies in partnership, in what we can build together.”
Back in Canada, many saw Trump’s remarks as a step too far, with some questioning whether the US president had crossed a diplomatic line.
Despite the awkwardness, Carney knows the importance of maintaining trade relations with the US, Canada’s largest economic partner - even if Trump’s rhetoric tests the relationship. A seasoned former central banker, Carney witnessed first-hand the effects of Brexit and remains focused on pragmatism over posturing.
The atmosphere cooled further as Trump took shots at Carney’s predecessor, Justin Trudeau, and implicitly criticized former trade and finance minister Chrystia Freeland. “She was a terrible person, and she really hurt that deal,” Trump said, referencing the earlier Canada-US-Mexico trade negotiations.
He also complained about what he sees as an imbalanced trade relationship: “Canada has a surplus with us, and there’s no reason for us to be subsidizing Canada. Canada will have to take care of itself economically.”
Carney, speaking to reporters later from the Canadian Embassy rooftop, said he saw the meeting as a potential reset after a strained period under Trudeau. “I feel better about the relations,” he noted. “But we have a lot more work to do.”
He added that he had clearly told Trump—both publicly and privately—to stop calling Canada the 51st state. When asked how he reacted to Trump’s remark about the US-Canada border being “an artificially drawn line… like, with a ruler,” Carney offered only a small smile: “I’m glad you couldn’t tell what was going through my mind.”
Uzbekistan and the Green Climate Fund are strengthening ties after talks in Tashkent, as both sides discussed joint climate projects and the Fund’s plan to establish a regional presence, though its location remains undecided.
China and Japan have reached a key agreement to restart seafood trade, marking a potential end to a nearly two-year import ban imposed after the release of treated wastewater from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant.
Japan has pledged over $1 billion in aid to Bangladesh for economic reforms, infrastructure, and education, as interim leader Muhammad Yunus visits Tokyo to deepen bilateral ties.
Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 1 million vehicles across multiple models due to a software glitch that could cause the rearview camera to malfunction, increasing the risk of an accident.
At least 21 people, including children, have died in floods triggered by heavy rains in Nigeria’s Niger state, officials said.
China and Japan have reached a key agreement to restart seafood trade, marking a potential end to a nearly two-year import ban imposed after the release of treated wastewater from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant.
Japan has pledged over $1 billion in aid to Bangladesh for economic reforms, infrastructure, and education, as interim leader Muhammad Yunus visits Tokyo to deepen bilateral ties.
Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 1 million vehicles across multiple models due to a software glitch that could cause the rearview camera to malfunction, increasing the risk of an accident.
A US ceasefire plan proposes a 60-day truce and phased hostage exchange. Hamas is reviewing the deal.
The U.S. urges Russia to accept a ceasefire and supports direct talks set for next week in Istanbul.
AnewZ takes to the streets of Yerevan and Baku to ask a simple yet deeply complex question: How do you see peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan? In the first part of our special report, we hear the hopes, doubts, and scars still shaping people’s perspectives on both sides.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Kyiv faced a large-scale Russian drone and missile assault overnight, with explosions and gunfire echoing throughout the city, forcing residents to shelter in subway stations.
China and Japan have reached a key agreement to restart seafood trade, marking a potential end to a nearly two-year import ban imposed after the release of treated wastewater from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant.
Japan has pledged over $1 billion in aid to Bangladesh for economic reforms, infrastructure, and education, as interim leader Muhammad Yunus visits Tokyo to deepen bilateral ties.
A US ceasefire plan proposes a 60-day truce and phased hostage exchange. Hamas is reviewing the deal.
The U.S. urges Russia to accept a ceasefire and supports direct talks set for next week in Istanbul.
At least 21 people, including children, have died in floods triggered by heavy rains in Nigeria’s Niger state, officials said.
China and Japan have reached a key agreement to restart seafood trade, marking a potential end to a nearly two-year import ban imposed after the release of treated wastewater from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant.
Japan has pledged over $1 billion in aid to Bangladesh for economic reforms, infrastructure, and education, as interim leader Muhammad Yunus visits Tokyo to deepen bilateral ties.
Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 1 million vehicles across multiple models due to a software glitch that could cause the rearview camera to malfunction, increasing the risk of an accident.
A US ceasefire plan proposes a 60-day truce and phased hostage exchange. Hamas is reviewing the deal.
The U.S. urges Russia to accept a ceasefire and supports direct talks set for next week in Istanbul.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment