The day Carney came to town and trampled Trump’s ‘artistic’ vision

Washington: Mark Carney owes his new career to Donald Trump. Rather than leading Canada’s Liberal Party to what might have been an ugly defeat, the former central banker has been reincarnated as prime minister of what sometimes feels like a nation at war, and he could yet become a Canadian hero if he prevails.

“I think I was probably the greatest thing that happened to him, but I can’t take full credit,” Trump said as he greeted Carney for their first face-to-face meeting. “It was probably one of the greatest comebacks in the history of politics, maybe even greater than mine.”

“Never say never”: During a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House, Donald Trump insisted Canadians might one day want to become part of the United States.Credit: AP

Carney retained government – albeit in minority – largely because Canadians soured on the Conservatives and instead backed him to take the fight up to Trump’s tariffs and bullying. Though he brought no hostility into the Oval Office, Carney arrived in Washington with the imprimatur of an angry nation.

The events of February 28, when Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, have not faded from anyone’s memory. It showed anything can happen in this White House: a full-blown, on-camera showdown is always within the realm of possibility.

Asked about his most outlandish claim – that Canada should become the United States’ 51st state – Trump appeared to accept he was flogging a dead horse. “I still believe that. But it takes two to tango, right?” he said with a grin.

He went on to outline to Carney, and the cameras, the bones of his creative vision.

The room temperature cooled when Donald Trump said he didn’t like Justin Trudeau and another Canadian minister.Credit: AP

“I’m a real estate developer at heart. When you get rid of that artificially drawn line … when you look at that beautiful formation when it’s together … I’m a very artistic person. I said, ‘That’s the way it was meant to be’,” Trump said.

He also claimed Canadians would receive lower taxes, a “free military” and “tremendous medical care”, among other benefits, if they joined the union.

Carney managed to avoid snorting at the idea that Canadians are champing at the bit for the US healthcare system. But his next move was a masterstroke, turning Trump’s property metaphor against him and even making the president laugh out loud.

“As you know from real estate, there are some places that were never for sale. We’re sitting in one right now,” Carney said, referring to the White House. He also mentioned Buckingham Palace.

“That’s true,” Trump said. He also laughed – a rarity.

Carney went on: “Having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign … it’s not for sale, won’t be for sale, ever. But the opportunity is in the partnership, what we can build together.” Trump replied: “Never say never.”

The president had already indicated the idea of a US takeover was largely off the table for their meeting. “We’re not gonna be discussing that unless somebody wants to discuss it,” he said.

Trump said he loved Canada and wanted the two countries to be great friends (friends sometimes have a weird way of treating each other). He praised Canada’s hockey players and mentioned “the great one”, Wayne Gretzky, although that seemed to complete his knowledge of the nation’s achievements.

Moments of levity were punctuated by occasionally awkward exchanges.Credit: AP

However, it wasn’t all so breezy. The exchange turned awkward when Trump disparaged Carney’s predecessor, Justin Trudeau, and described one of his ministers as a “terrible person” who tried to take advantage of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement on free trade. In the room, this was immediately understood to refer to former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland, who is a member of Carney’s cabinet.

Carney told Trump that elements of the agreement would have to change. He added that “part of the way you’ve conducted these tariffs has taken advantage of existing aspects of USMCA”.

And yet, for all the pleasantries and apparent goodwill, there were signs of disrespect. At the outset, Trump overshadowed the meeting by announcing he would stop bombing the Houthis in Yemen, and foreshadowing another bombshell before Monday that he said would be “as big as it gets”.

“I’m on the edge of my seat,” Carney said.

Trump also went on a lengthy digression about trade deals with other countries, and how he would soon set a price for them to “shop” in the US. Carney could only sit and listen, with the occasional pursed lip hinting at a held tongue.

Later, at Carney’s solo press conference at the Canadian embassy, a reporter told him she was watching his facial expression during critical moments and wondered what was going through his mind.

“I’m glad that you couldn’t tell,” Carney said.

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