Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was welcomed to the White House on Tuesday (May 6) by US President Donald Trump in their first in-person meeting, setting the stage for high-stakes talks on trade and sovereignty 바카라 and reigniting controversy over Trump's provocative remarks about Canadian statehood.
Carney arrived at the White House in the afternoon and was greeted by Trump outside the White House. The two leaders smiled and shook hands for the cameras before proceeding to the Oval Office.
바카라It바카라s a great honor to have the Canadian leader at the White House,바카라 Trump said, congratulating Carney on his 바카라very big바카라 election win. While Carney and Trump have spoken by phone since the Canadian election, this was their first face-to-face interaction.
51st State Idea
During the brief photo op in the Oval Office, Trump again floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st US state 바카라 a suggestion that has repeatedly sparked backlash.
바카라I still believe that, but ... it takes two to tango,바카라 Trump said. He went on to claim that such a move would bring 바카라a massive tax cut바카라 for Canadians and 바카라a lot of advantages.바카라
Referring to the US-Canada border, Trump added, 바카라Somebody drew that line many years ago with like, a ruler 바카라 just a straight line right across the top of the country. When you get rid of that artificially drawn line... that's the way it was meant to be.바카라 "When you look at that beautiful formation, when it바카라s together ... when I looked at that, you know, I said, that바카라s the way it was meant to be."
Calling the hypothetical union 바카라a wonderful marriage,바카라 Trump said, 바카라It바카라s two places that get along very well. They like each other a lot.바카라
'Not for sale' Says Carney
Carney, known for his assertive stance on Canadian sovereignty, responded pointedly using Trump바카라s real estate analogy.
바카라There are some places that are never for sale,바카라 he said, gesturing around the Oval Office. 바카라It바카라s not for sale, won바카라t be for sale ever.바카라
The Canadian leader also acknowledged having addressed Trump바카라s comments with his own citizens. 바카라I바카라ve spoken to Canadians about it,바카라 Carney said. 바카라They바카라ve been very clear.바카라
Trump, undeterred, responded several times with his trademark refrain: 바카라Never say never.바카라
The outrage provoked by Trump enabled Carney바카라s Liberal Party to score a stunning comeback victory last month as the ongoing trade war and attacks on Canadian sovereignty have outraged voters.
Trump's openly adversarial approach has raised questions for Carney and other world leaders on how to manage relations with the US.
Some world leaders, such as the United Kingdom's prime minister, Keir Starmer, engaged in a charm offensive. Others, such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, were met by Trump with anger for not being sufficiently deferential.
Carney, at a Friday news conference ahead of his trip, said the talks would focus on immediate trade pressures and the broader economic and national security relationships. He said his 바카라government would fight to get the best deal for Canada바카라 and 바카라take all the time necessary바카라 to do so, even as Canada pursues a parallel set of talks to deepen relations with other allies and lessen its commitments with the U.S.
Trump has maintained that the US doesn바카라t need anything from Canada. He is actively going after a Canadian auto sector built largely by US companies, saying, 바카라They바카라re stopping work in Mexico, and they바카라re stopping work in Canada, and they바카라re all moving here.바카라 He also said the US doesn바카라t need Canada바카라s energy 바카라 though nearly one-fourth of the oil that the US consumes daily comes from the province of Alberta.
Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60% of US crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85 percent of US electricity imports are from Canada.
Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the US and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security. Canada is one of the most trade-dependent countries in the world, and 77 percent of Canada바카라s exports go to the US.
