Politics
‘Never Say Never’: Trump Trolls New Canadian PM In Hilarious Oval Office Meeting
President Donald Trump turned what was supposed to be a routine diplomatic meeting into a comedic masterclass Tuesday, sparring with newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Though tensions between the two nations have been on a steady climb — fueled by tariffs, trade disputes, and a hotly contested Canadian election — the president didn’t miss a chance to revive his favorite icebreaker: the idea of Canada becoming America’s 51st state.
Asked directly whether he still believed Canada should join the United States, Trump didn’t skip a beat.
“Well, I still believe that, but, you know, takes two to tango, right?” he said from the Oval Office. “I mean, I believe it would be a massive tax cut for the Canadian citizens. You get free military, you get tremendous medical cares and other things. There would be a lot of advantages, but it would be a massive tax cut.”
With Carney sitting across from him, the president then took a detour into art and geography. “As a real estate developer, you know, I’m a real estate developer at heart,” Trump explained. “When you get rid of that artificially drawn line… just a straight line right across the top of the country… I looked at that, you know, I said that’s the way it was meant to be.”
WATCH:
While the moment was soaked in trademark Trump theatrics, it also came at a serious time. Carney, who rode to power on a platform that included resisting Trump’s influence, has already faced questions about how to navigate the White House relationship.
The Canadian leader responded coolly and without taking the bait. “Well, if I may, as you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale,” Carney said, adding, “We’re sitting in one right now… and having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign… it’s not for sale, won’t be for sale ever.”
Still, Carney emphasized the value of partnership, noting that Canada would increase its contributions to NATO and reinforce its own military commitments. “My government is committed for a step change in our investment in Canadian security and our partnership,” he said. “The President has revitalized international security… and that will be part of it.”
For his part, Trump praised the move, while refusing to let the 51st state joke entirely fade.
“Canada is stepping up the military participation because Mark knew, you know, they were low and now they’re stepping it up and that’s a very important thing,” Trump said before flashing a grin. “But never say never. Never say never.”
The meeting marked the first face-to-face exchange between the two since Carney’s sweeping victory over Justin Trudeau’s Liberal establishment. Trudeau had resigned earlier this year amid collapsing approval ratings, paving the way for Carney, a former central banker with global credentials, to take the reins.
Behind the humor and handshakes, major issues remain. Trump’s 25% tariff on Canadian goods has sparked retaliation from Ottawa, which slapped counter-tariffs on $30 billion worth of U.S. exports. Carney has indicated he wants to ease tensions but won’t budge on national sovereignty.
Whether Trump was joking or laying the groundwork for another unconventional negotiating strategy remains to be seen. But as he said himself: “Never say never.”
