President Donald Trump told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that he is the “greatest thing that happened to him” in their first Oval Office meeting Tuesday since the new world leader’s election.
Carney was elected in April, granting Canada’s Liberal Party their fourth-straight term in office as Trump tariffs the country and talks about adding them as the 51st state. The new Canadian prime minister pledged to meet with Trump after he was elected, promising to negotiate economic policy. (RELATED: ‘Capitulated’: Trump Says US Will Cease Bombing Operations Against Houthis)
“A few days ago he won a very big election in Canada, and I think I was probably the greatest thing that happened to him but I can’t take full credit,” Trump said with a smile. “His party was losing by a lot and he ended up winning so I really want to congratulate him. Probably one of the greatest comebacks in the history of politics, maybe even greater than mine.”
Carney laughed in response to Trump’s comment before the two got in a back-and-forth about whether the country of Canada was up for sale.
“I believe it would be a massive tax cut for the Canadian citizens. You get free military, you get tremendous medical care and other things. There would be a lot of advantages,” Trump said of his desire to make Canada the 51st state.
“If I may, as you know from real estate there are some places that are never for sale,” Carney said as Trump agreed. “Having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign over the last several months, it is not for sale and it won’t be for sale. Ever. But the opportunity is in the partnership and in what we can build together,” the prime minister continued, talking about the country’s national security.
“I must say, Canada is stepping up the military participation, as Mark knows, they were low and now they are stepping it up and that is a very important thing,” Trump said.
“But never say never, never say never,” the president smiled, pointing at Carney, who looked at reporters and mouthed “never.”
After covering the election of Carney, who replaced Trump-foe Justin Trudeau, and the prospect of Canada becoming the 51st state of the U.S., the two world leaders also touched on tariffs. To kick off his second term in the White House, Trump announced a flurry of tariffs on the country’s northern neighbor. There is currently 25% tariffs in place on all steel, aluminum, cars and auto parts leaving the country, as well as a 250% tariff on dairy.
Trump told reporters Tuesday that there was nothing Carney could say that would convince him to lift the tariffs.
“No. That’s the way it is,” the president said.
“This is a bigger discussion. There are much bigger forces involved. This will take some time,” Carney countered.
Following the Oval Office meeting, the two world leaders are scheduled to meet in private over lunch.
When asked about what top concessions he wants from Canada, Trump had a one-word answer for reporters.
“Friendship,” he said.
The reporter pushed back over whether “friendship” was a concession.
“We are going to be friends with Canada,” he president continued. “Regardless of anything, we are going to be friends with Canada.”
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