U.S. and Canadian Leaders Clash Over Trump’s Push for Merger
President Donald Trump revived his controversial proposal for a U.S.-Canada merger during a May 6 Oval Office meeting with newly re-elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney—only to be met with a firm rejection.
“If Canada were to become our 51st state, it would be a beautiful marriage,” Trump said, claiming Canadians would benefit from “massive tariff relief, a free military, and world-class healthcare.”
Carney, remaining composed, pushed back firmly. “As someone with a background in real estate, Mr. President, you know there are places that are simply not for sale,” he said, likening Canada to iconic institutions like the Oval Office and Buckingham Palace.
“I’ve spoken with Canadians across the country during this campaign, and let me be clear: Canada is not for sale—and never will be,” Carney declared.
Trump simply replied: “Never say never.”
The tense exchange came amid heightened trade tensions. Since taking office in February, Trump has imposed steep tariffs on Canadian exports and publicly pressured Ottawa to consider statehood as a way to bypass them. He has repeatedly accused Canada of unfair trade practices and failing to stop fentanyl smuggling across the border.
When asked by reporters whether Prime Minister Carney could offer anything that would persuade him to lift tariffs, Trump bluntly responded, “No. That ship has sailed.”
According to AFP, Carney was seen clenching his fists and gritting his teeth at times during the two-hour meeting—clearly restraining frustration. Nevertheless, both leaders struck a more conciliatory tone afterward.
“This was nothing like my other Oval Office meetings,” Trump said, alluding to his earlier fiery clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “It was a very friendly conversation. We both want to do what’s right for our people.”
At a follow-up press conference, Carney described the talks as “constructive” and “productive,” acknowledging that U.S.-Canada trade negotiations would be “complex.”
“When I asked the President if he’d consider dropping the tariffs through a new agreement, he showed a willingness to negotiate,” Carney said. However, he also confirmed that he asked Trump to stop floating the idea of Canada becoming a U.S. state.
“I told him that repeating it serves no purpose,” Carney said, “but he is free to say what he likes.”
The high-stakes meeting came on the heels of Canada’s April election, during which Carney vowed to preserve Canadian sovereignty and end what he called the era of “blind integration” with Washington.
He promised sweeping reforms to the U.S.-Canada relationship, describing them as Canada’s most significant political and economic shift since World War II.
(Sources: AFP, Reuters)
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