PRIME Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday said in a statement that he thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his welcome and hospitality, and the spirit and substance of their extensive discussions in the White House. He added that he underscored with the President that Canada and the United States are stronger when they work together.
The two leaders discussed the immediate trade pressures facing their nations. Carney stated Canada’s openness to building a new economic and security relationship with the United States – based on respect, built on common interests, and to the benefit of both nations.
To that end, Carney and Trump agreed to continue discussions over the coming weeks. They looked forward to meeting next month at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, the statement said.
In the Oval Office, Carney told Trump: “You’re a transformational president with a focus on the economy with a relentless focus on the American worker, securing your borders, ending the scourge of fentanyl and other opioids. And securing the world. And I’ve been elected, with my colleagues here — with the help of my colleagues here, I’m going to spread the credit — to transform Canada with a similar focus on the economy, securing our borders, again on fentanyl, much greater focus on defense and security, securing the Arctic and developing the Arctic. You know, the history of Canada and the U.S. is we’re stronger when we work together. And there’s many opportunities to work together. And I look forward to, you know, addressing some of those issues that we have, but also, finding those areas of mutual cooperation so we can go.”
When a reporter asked Trump if he would like to see a trade deal with Canada, the President said: “I would love that. Look, I have a lot of respect for this man (Carney). … Something could happen.”
When a reporter asked what was the “top concession” he wanted out of Canada, Trump replied: “Friendship.” When the reporter said: “But that’s not a concession,” Trump said: “We’re going to be friends with Canada. Regardless of anything. We’re going to be friends with Canada. Canada is a very special place to me, I know so many people that live in Canada. My parents had relatives that lived in Canada, my mother in particular, and now I love Canada.
I have a lot of respect for the Canadians.”
Regarding Trump’s obsession with Canada becoming the 51st state, Carney made it clear to Trump that Canada was not for sale. He told Trump: “Well, if I may. As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale.” Trump said: “That’s true.” Carney continued: “We’re sitting in one right now. You know, Buckingham Palace that you visited as well.” Trump said: “That’s true.”
Carney said: “And having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign last several months, it’s not for sale. Won’t be for sale, ever. But the opportunity is in the partnership and what we can build together. And we have done that in the past.”
He added: “And part of that, as the president just said, is with respect to our own security. My government is committed for a step change in our investment in Canadian security and our partnership. And I’ll say this as well, that the president has revitalized international security, revitalized NATO, and has us playing our full weight, in NATO. And that will be part. “
Regarding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Trump said: “We do have a negotiation one coming up over the next year or so to adjust it or terminate it.”
Carney said: “I’ll say a word on USMCA if I may, Mr. President. It is a basis for a broader negotiation. Some things about it are going to have to change. And part of the way you’ve conducted these tariffs has taken advantage of existing aspects of USMCA. So it’s going to have to change. There’s other elements that have come. And that’s part of what we’re going to discuss.”
When a reporter asked Trump, “If Canadians don’t want [to be the 51st state], would you respect that?” the President said: “Sure, I would, but this is not necessarily a one-day deal. This is over a period of time. They have to make that decision.”
Carney said: “If I may, well, respectfully, Canadians’ view on this is not going to change, on the 51st state.”
He added: “Secondly, we are the largest client of the United States in the totality of all the goods. So we are the largest client of the United States. We have a tremendous auto sector between the two of us.
“And the changes have made have been helpful. You know, 50 per cent of a car that comes from Canada is American. That’s not like anywhere else in the world. And to your question about is there one thing? No, this is a bigger discussion.”
Trump agreed.
Carney continued: “There are much bigger forces involved. And, and this will take some time in some discussions. And that’s why we’re here to have those discussions.”
