Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently told reporters that he asked U.S. President Donald Trump to stop calling Canada the 51st state of the United States.
In a meeting at the White House, Carney made it clear to Trump—both publicly and privately—that Canada is not for sale. “There’s a big difference between what someone wishes and what’s real,” Carney told the media after the meeting.
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Trump, known for often referring to Canada as the 51st state, didn’t argue much in public this time. When asked about Carney’s strong statement, he simply said, “Time will tell.”
Carney emphasized that he’s always been consistent about Canada’s position. “I’ve said it many times before—Canada is not for sale, and I was clear again during our meeting,” he said.
Trump responded in his usual style, calling himself a real estate developer and saying he sees the U.S. and Canada as a “beautiful formation” when imagined together. “I’m an artistic person,” he added.
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Carney replied by saying, “Just like some properties are never for sale—like Buckingham Palace—Canada is also not for sale. But we believe in working together as partners.”
Despite their differences, the meeting was friendly. Unlike Trump’s tense meeting with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy in the past, this conversation with Carney went smoothly. Trump praised Carney and said the U.S. and Canada will remain close friends.
