Carney Holds Firm on Sovereignty in High-Stakes White House Meeting with Trump

In a high-stakes meeting at the White House, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney drew a firm line on national sovereignty during talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, directly rejecting the president’s repeated suggestion that Canada should become America’s 51st state. “Canada is not for sale and never will be,” Carney told reporters, a line he delivered with composure even as Trump continued to push the idea. According to CBC News, Carney said in French that he told Trump the 51st state rhetoric was “not useful.”

The meeting between the two leaders was their first since Carney’s election victory, and though it was framed as constructive, it also underscored deep differences. Trade and tariffs took center stage, with Trump stating that nothing Carney said could convince him to lift them. Carney acknowledged the challenge but maintained hope for future progress, telling reporters, “We’ll see,” while reiterating his support for the CUSMA agreement as the foundation for future negotiations (CBC News).

After their Oval Office meeting and a private luncheon, Carney addressed Canadian media from the embassy rooftop. He described the talks as “wide-ranging” and added, “These are the discussions you have when you’re looking to find solutions,” highlighting a cooperative tone despite policy clashes. He also quipped to CBC News, “I’m glad that you couldn’t tell what was going through my mind,” when asked about Trump’s claim that the U.S.-Canada border is “artificial.”

Trump, meanwhile, appeared upbeat, describing Carney as “a nice man” and the meeting as “a big step up” in Canada-U.S. relations. At a FIFA World Cup event later that day, he joked about having once called Trudeau a “governor” but said he wouldn’t do the same to Carney — “maybe I won’t,” he said, according to CBC News. Despite disagreements, both sides signaled that more discussions are on the way, including a scheduled meeting at the G7 summit in Alberta this June.

Carney’s visit to Washington marked the start of a crucial diplomatic balancing act. With his cabinet announcement and a vote of confidence in Parliament coming later this month, the prime minister is navigating both international pressure and domestic expectations. “Canada is stronger when we work together,” Carney stated in response to questions about Alberta’s talk of secession — another issue that may test his leadership in the months ahead (CBC News).