Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney has met with US President, Donald Trump at the White House.
A joint press conference with Trump and Carney started off on an amicable note, with Trump quipping that his hostile rhetoric towards Canada was “the greatest thing that happened” to Carney and the Liberal Party.
“I really want to congratulate him on one of the greatest comebacks in the history of politics, maybe even greater than mine. Canada chose a very talented person, a very good person.”
Donald Trump
For decades, Canada and the US have enjoyed a close partnership that was largely viewed as mutually beneficial.
However, Trump has changed that equation for the first time in decades, shocking many Canadians.
The Republican US President has accused Canada of taking advantage of the US through unfair trade practices, and he has even threatened to annex Canada and turn it into a US state.
That sparked an outpouring of patriotic feeling in Canada and calls for a tough stance against Trump.
While Canada’s Conservative Party started the year on track for a sizable victory in the country’s April elections, its polling advantage evaporated shortly after Trump took office in January.
During the election period, the Liberal Party positioned itself as the best option to stand up to the US, and an Ipsos opinion polls found 41 percent of Canadians believed Carney, the Liberal leader, was the best candidate to tackle Trump, a higher percentage than for any other candidate for Prime Minister.
Canada’s Liberal Party, with Carney as its leader, won federal elections last week, putting the newly elected government on a collision course with the Trump administration.
In a defiant post-election speech, Carney said, “We are over the shock of the American betrayal but we should never forget the lessons.”
Also, Trump disclosed that he plans to make a major announcement in the coming days before his departure for the Middle East, but he declined to say what the topic would be about.
Trump, speaking during a meeting with Carney at the White House, said the announcement would be very positive and could come Thursday, Friday or Monday.
On his part, the Canadian leader praised Trump for his focus on the economy, immigration, cracking down on drug trafficking, and foreign policy.
“The history of Canada and the US shows we’re stronger when we work together, and there’s many opportunities to work together. I look forward to addressing some of those issues that we have, but also finding those areas of mutual cooperation.”
Mark Carney
Carney has spoken to President Trump by telephone on at least two occasions, including the day after his election.
Both leaders described these phone calls as very amiable.
Canada “Not For Sale”
President Donald Trump said that he still believes Canada should become the 51st state in the US as he spoke to reporters at the White House while meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
“It takes two to tango, right? I believe it would be a massive tax cut for the Canadian citizens. You get free military, tremendous medical cares, other things. There would be a lot of advantages.”
Donald Trump
The US President iterated that it would be “much better for Canada” to become a US state, but that it would not be discussed at his meeting with Carney.
Trump touted that he’s a real estate developer at heart and said when he looked at the two countries combined, “I said that’s the way it was meant to be.” He added, “But we’re not going to be discussing that unless somebody wants to discuss it.”
However, Carney was quick to rebuke that idea.
“As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale. Having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign, last several months — It’s not for sale. It won’t be for sale, ever.”
Mark Carney
Trump quipped, “Never say never.”
Asked about the future of the free trade agreement between the US, Canada, and Mexico, known as the USMCA, Trump said that the deal is “good for all countries” but that talks to renegotiate the deal and adjust terms are on the horizon. He added, “It is a basis for a broader negotiation. Some things about it are going to have to change.”
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