Donald Trump has questioned whether it would be ‘doable’ to make Canada the 51st state of America while in discussion with newly appointed Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Since being sworn in as the 47th President of the US, Trump not only rolled out tariffs on multiple countries across the globe, but told Canada the ‘solution’ for the country to avoid such tariffs would be to become America’s 51st state.
Now, even with the 25 percent tariffs on Canada having since come into play, Canada has remained firm in its stance against becoming another state of America, with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resolving it was never ‘going to happen’ – alongside the country hitting back with its own 25 percent tariffs.
Yesterday (May 6), Trump and newly appointed Prime Minister Mark Carney sat down at the White House for their first meeting since Carney took over from Trudeau – winning the general election on April 28.
Trump responds to Mark Carney saying Canada will ‘never’ be for sale
Credit: CBS News
Despite the ongoing tensions, Trump and Carney doled out much praise on one another, with Trump describing Carney as a ‘very talented person’ and Carney branding Trump a ‘transformational president’.
Mark Carney meets Donald Trump at White House
Alas, no matter how many compliments the POTUS flings Carney’s way, one thing remains.
Echoing the same sentiment as his predecessor, Carney was certain on one thing – Canada is ‘never [going to be] for sale’.
Likening Canada to Buckingham Palace or the Oval Office, Carney resolved: “As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale.
“Having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign in the last several months, it’s not for sale. Won’t be for sale, ever.”
Mark Carney joined Donald Trump at the White House yesterday (May 6) (Chen Mengtong/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)Mark Carney joined Donald Trump at the White House yesterday (May 6) (Chen Mengtong/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)
The prime minister added Canadians are ‘masters in our own home’ and ‘can give ourselves far more than any foreign government can ever take away’.
Shockingly, Trump paid no attention to his resolution.
His response? Well, channeling none other than Justin Bieber, he said: “I say, ‘Never say never’.”
And that wasn’t all…
In the wise words of Justin Bieber… (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) In the wise words of Justin Bieber… (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Trump continued: “I’ve had many, many things that were not doable and ended up being doable.”
It follows a body language expert breaking down the pair’s meeting, with Beth Dawson analyzing the moment on the steps of the White House.
She claimed Carney seemed ‘assertive’ but also ‘submissive’ and ‘apprehensive’.
Dawson added: “The elbow touch, however, shows that he wants to establish connection on equal terms. His expression is one of determination. Carney is not passive, but he is also careful not to come across as overly forceful and he does seem slightly intimidated.”
Well, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
Trump has sharp 8-word response to anyone who regrets voting for him following latest approval ratingsTrump has sharp 8-word response to anyone who regrets voting for him following latest approval ratings
Trump has sharp 8-word response to anyone who regrets voting for him following latest approval ratings
The POTUS defended his actions as he marked his 100th day in the Oval Office
Donald Trump issued a sharp comment towards voters who have turned critical of him following his first 100 days back in the Oval Office.
Trump celebrated his 100th day as the 47th President of the United States yesterday (April 29), and to mark the occasion, he spoke all about his accomplishments so far in an interview with ABC News’ Terry Moran.
The president spoke on everything from his action on illegal border crossings to the cost of eggs, but it was while talking about one move in particular that Trump issued a reminder to those who voted for him in the 2024 election.
During the interview, Moran raised the topic of the economy and described it as the ‘number one issue for so many people’.
Trump marked 100 days in office on April 29 (Win McNamee/Getty Images)Trump marked 100 days in office on April 29 (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
He pointed to the trade war with China, which saw Trump implement huge and rapidly increasing tariffs against the country, and noted that analysts have suggested the tariffs are going to ‘cost American families thousands of more dollars per year’.
“There is a lot of concern out there,” Moran said. “People are worried, even some people who voted for you, sayin’, “I didn’t sign up for this.” So how do you answer those concerns?”
Trump’s answer came in the form of eight sharp words, as he said: “Well, they did sign up for it, actually.”
The president went on to argue that the economy was ‘what [he] campaigned on’, claiming that the US had been ‘abused by other countries at levels that nobody’s ever seen before’ and it was ‘not sustainable’.
He continued: “So now if you look at what’s happened – energy is down. Gasoline hit $1.98 in a few states – during the last couple of days. It was $3.50 and $4.00 and $4.50. But gasoline is way down. And when I took over, you remember the big thing with eggs?…
Trump argued voters did sign up for the actions he has taken (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)Trump argued voters did sign up for the actions he has taken (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“Well, eggs are down 87% since I got involved.”
The president insisted everyone was ‘gonna be just fine’, adding: “It’s all heading in the right direction.”
Trump’s comments come after approval ratings for the president released by a joint ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll revealed that the businessman has the lowest 100-day job approval rating of any president in the past 80 years, with 55 percent of people saying they disapprove of how Trump is handling his job as president.
Meanwhile, a New York Times and Siena College poll revealed an approval rating of just 42 percent, with 66 percent of respondents describing his second term so far as ‘chaotic’.
Canadian Prime Minister sends clear message to Trump with three-word response to controversial tariffsCanadian Prime Minister sends clear message to Trump with three-word response to controversial tariffs
Canadian Prime Minister sends clear message to Trump with three-word response to controversial tariffs
Donald Trump’s trade war with Canada continues amid the rising tensions between the two countries
Mark Carney, the newly installed prime minster of Canada, has a defiant message for President Donald Trump following recent tariff developments between the two countries.
Ever since President Trump returned to office back in January, tensions between the two neighboring countries have risen to unprecedented heights.
Last month, Trump announced that he would target imported vehicles and vehicle parts that fell under the ‘United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement’ with a 25 per cent tax, stating: “This is permanent.”
And in the same month, the POTUS also imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods, on top of a 25 per cent duty on steel and aluminium imports.
In response to the automobile tax, The Canadian Chamber of Commerce said in a statement: “The consequences of today’s escalation in this destructive tariff war will not be contained to Canada, as much as the U.S. administration would like to pretend.
The Canadian prime minister has sent a clear message (David Kawai/Bloomberg via Getty Images)The Canadian prime minister has sent a clear message (David Kawai/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“Throwing away tens of thousands of jobs on both sides of the border will mean giving up North America’s auto leadership role, instead encouraging companies to build and hire anywhere else but here. This tax hike puts plants and workers at risk for generations, if not forever.”
Canada also responded by issuing $20.7 billion ($29.8 billion CAD) tariffs for US imported goods, which came into effect on March 13.
It seems as though Canada is determined to remain victorious as Prime Minster Carney had a strong message for Trump on Saturday (April 5), insisting ‘we will win’ in relation to the trade war with the US.
He said: “In this trade war, like in hockey and soccer, we will win. We didn’t ask for this fight, but Canadians are always ready when someone drops the gloves.”
Carney has previously said Canada’s old relationship with the US is ‘over’ amid previous close ties between the two nations.
Mark Carney has any relationship with the US is ‘over’ (DAVE CHAN/AFP via Getty Images)Mark Carney has any relationship with the US is ‘over’ (DAVE CHAN/AFP via Getty Images)
“The president of the US is trying to fundamentally restructure his economy, it means our economy and it means the global economy as well,” Carney previously said.
“I understand and respect his goal to support American workers, but I disagree with him that this is how to help them.
“I reject any attempts to weaken Canada, to wear us down, to break us so that America can own us, that will never happen.
“Our response to these latest tariffs is to fight, is to protect and to build.
“We will fight the US tariffs with retaliatory trade actions of our own, that will have maximum impact in the United States and minimum impact here in Canada.”
Carney added Canada will not consider removing these tariffs until the US gives it the respect it deserves.
Canada isn’t the only one fighting against Trump’s tariffs. Following his ‘Liberation Day’ announcement on April 2, China has also hit back at the businessman’s 54 per cent tariff, increasing their US tariff to 34 per cent.
Canada’s new prime minister issues scathing message to Donald Trump moments after being electedCanada’s new prime minister issues scathing message to Donald Trump moments after being elected
Canada’s new prime minister issues scathing message to Donald Trump moments after being elected
The Liberal Party leader Mark Carney warned President Trump over some of the American’s ambitions
Newly-elected Canadian PM Mark Carney took just a matter of minutes to speak of President Donald Trump as he addressed the nation.
The 60-year-old will make the office his own having assumed the role from former prime minister Justin Trudeau last month after he announced his decision to step down from power after a decade at the helm.
Speaking to his supporters in Ottawa in the early hours of this morning (April 29), the Liberal Party leader said: “Humility is also about recognizing that one of the responsibilities of government is to prepare for the worst, not hope for the best.
“As I’ve been warning for months, America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country – never.
Mark Carney says Trump is ‘trying to break us’
Credits: (CBC News)
“But these are not these are not idle threats, President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us – that will never, that will never ever happen. But we also must recognize the reality that our world has fundamentally changed.”
It comes as Trump has taunted Canadians over his vision to incorporate the nation to become the 51st state of the US, even teasing Trudeau with the nickname ‘Governor of Canada’ prior to his departure.
The 78-year-old Republican has claimed Canada ‘only works as a state’ because America is ‘spending $200 billion a year to subsidize it’, although conceding that it could the US’ ‘greatest state’ if it was to join forces.
“We are over the shock of the American betrayal but we should never forget the lessons, we have to look out for ourselves and above all we have to take care of each other,” Carney continued.
New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has issued a scathing response to President Donald Trump (Ron Palmer/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has issued a scathing response to President Donald Trump (Ron Palmer/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“When I sit down with President Trump it will be to discuss the future economic and security relationship between two sovereign nations, and it will be with our full knowledge that we have many, many other options than the United States to build prosperity for all Canadians.”
He went on to remind Canada what Canadians have built on a united front, before adding: “Now in the face of this crisis, united we are buying Canadian.
“We are exploring everything this country has to offer, we are supporting our friends and neighbors in the crosshairs of President Trump, through a crisis that we did not create.
“United we will win this trade war and build the strongest economy in the G7. An economy that works for everyone.”
The G7, otherwise known as the Group of Seven, is an informal group of seven of the most advanced economies in the world: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US.
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/theindependent
South Korea denies Donald Trump’s tariff claims amid China, Canada and Mexico’s brutal responseSouth Korea denies Donald Trump’s tariff claims amid China, Canada and Mexico’s brutal response
South Korea denies Donald Trump’s tariff claims amid China, Canada and Mexico’s brutal response
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau warned Trump’s actions will have ‘real consequences’ for Americans
Officials in South Korea are said to be concerned after Donald Trump’s comments to Congress indicated their country could be next on the list to be hit with tariffs.
The 47th POTUS marked 43 days in charge of the country on Tuesday (March 4) with a speech to Congress.
During it, Trump revealed Vladimir Putin has provided ‘strong signals’ to the US that he wants peace with Ukraine and detailed a letter received from President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy amid the ongoing war in Europe.
He also had a message for the people of Greenland in what was a somewhat confusing address.
A huge talking point from Trump’s premiership so far is that of tariffs, with the likes of Canada, Mexico and China being hit.
The tariffs have been introduced to tackle what the White House has described as an ‘extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl’.
Donald Trump has imposed a number of tariffs (ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)Donald Trump has imposed a number of tariffs (ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
25 percent tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico, while 20 percent tariffs have been dropped on China.
South Korea could be next on the tariffs list, with officials in Seoul said to be concerned by comments made by President Trump in his congress speech.
Trump said South Korea’s average tariff was four times higher than the level seen in the US, which suggested the country may be hit next.
He told Congress: “South Korea’s average tariff is four times higher. Think of that. Four times higher.
“And we give so much help militarily and in so many other ways to South Korea. But that’s what happens. This is happening by friend and foe.”
Seoul has since disputed this, with the ministry stating they would be ‘actively communicating’ with officials in Washington about tariffs.
As a counter, China announced plans to impose taxes of 15 percent on coal and liquified natural gas from the US, as well as a 10 percent levy on crude oil, farming equipment, and some cars.
Meanwhile, imports of US-grown chicken, wheat, corn and cotton will see an extra 15 percent tariff, while the likes of sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, seafoods, fruit, vegetables, and dairy products are seeing a 10 percent increase, as per AP.
Han Duck-soo, South Korea’s prime minister (JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)Han Duck-soo, South Korea’s prime minister (JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)
Both the Canadian and Mexican leaders announced shortly after the tariffs were confirmed by Trump that they were bringing in counter tariffs.
Canada is imposing 25 percent tariffs on CA $155 billion of US goods, with prime minister Justin Trudeau stating: “It will have real consequences for you, the American people.
“The actions taken by the White House split us apart instead of bringing us together.”
Speaking of her country’s plans, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on Twitter: “We categorically reject the White House’s slander that the Mexican government has alliances with criminal organisations, as well as any intention of meddling in our territory.
“If the United States government and its agencies wanted to address the serious fentanyl consumption in their country, they could fight the sale of drugs on the streets of their major cities, which they don’t do, and the laundering of money that this illegal activity generates that has done so much harm to its population.”
