Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Canada become the 51st U.S. state during a tense meeting at the White House on Tuesday. In their first Oval Office encounter, Trump called it a “wonderful marriage” idea, but Carney pushed back, saying, “Canada is not for sale—never has been, never will be.”
While the two leaders opened with cordial remarks, the tone quickly shifted as they discussed trade tensions and national sovereignty. Trump has imposed heavy tariffs on Canadian goods and has repeatedly floated the idea of annexing Canada—an idea Carney dismissed outright, comparing Canada’s sovereignty to iconic institutions like Buckingham Palace and the Oval Office itself.
Body language during the meeting revealed signs of strain, with Carney visibly tense and Trump unmoved on key issues like car tariffs. Carney reiterated that Canadians have no interest in becoming a U.S. state, despite Trump’s insistence that “you never know.”
Carney, who was elected on April 28 after pledging to stand up to Trump, aims to reset Canada-U.S. relations in what could be the country’s most significant policy shift in decades. The meeting ended without a breakthrough, though both leaders expressed willingness to continue trade talks.