WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met at the White House on Tuesday amid tension between the United States and Canada over Trump’s tariffs.
In the meeting, Carney reiterated that there is no way the country will become part of the United States, saying ‘never’.
“As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale,” said Carney. “We’re sitting in one right now, Buckingham Palace, you visited, as well, and having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign last several months, it’s not for sale. Won’t be for sale ever.”
After the meeting, Carney was asked what was going through his mind during Trump’s remarks.
“I’m glad that you couldn’t tell what was going through my mind,” he answered.
“The president has made known his wish about that issue for some time,” Carney told reporters at the Canadian Embassy. “I’ve been careful always to distinguish between wish and reality. I was clear there in the Oval Office, as I’ve been clear throughout on behalf of Canadians, that this is never going to happen. Canada is not for sale. It never will be for sale.”
After the meeting, Trump had praise for the new leader of Canada, saying he is a ‘nice man’.
“I like him. You know, he’s a nice man. We get along very well. We had a great meeting today. Really good. I think the relationship’s going to be very strong,” he said.
Carney told reporters after the meeting, calling it “very constructive”.
“He understands that we’re having a negotiation between sovereign nations and that we will only pursue and accept a deal that’s in the best interest of Canada,” Carney said. “Not just in the short term, but in the medium and long term for Canada.”
