‘Never ever’: Canadian PM Mark Carney confronts Donald Trump at White House

Canada’s PM wasn’t afraid to front up to Donald Trump in the Oval Office – but the US president had a blunt response.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has bluntly told Donald Trump that Canada is “never for sale, ever”.

But the US President had a terse reply: “Never say never”.

The comments came at the first meeting between the two leaders which took place on Tuesday, US time, at the White House. Mr Carney’s Liberal Party won last week’s Canadian general election.

The talks had the potential to turn very frosty indeed due to the US’ tariffs and Mr Trump’s suggestion that Canada could become the “cherished 51st state”.

During the Canada summit, Mr Trump also cryptically announced he would soon make “one of the most important announcements made in many years”. In addition, he said the US had agreed to stop bombing the Houthis in Yemen.

The meeting between Mr Carney and Mr Trump threatened to get off to a very bad start after the US President blasted Canada just minutes before he was due to meet him for the first time.

“I look forward to meeting the new Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney,” Mr Trump said 10 minutes before he was due to meet the PM at 11.30am (1.30am, Wednesday, AEST).

“I very much want to work with him. But cannot understand one simple TRUTH — Why is America subsidising Canada by $200 Billion Dollars a year, in addition to giving them FREE Military Protection?

“We don’t need ANYTHING they have, other than their friendship, which hopefully we will always maintain.

“They, on the other hand, need EVERYTHING from us!”

Mr Trump’s claim that the US “subsidies” Canada by $US200 billion a year is highly disputed. By some measures, the US actually has a trade surplus with Canada.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is greeted by President Donald Trump as he arrives at the West Wing of the White House, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Canada is ‘never for sale, ever’

Nonetheless it was a largely cordial meeting where, at points, Mr Trump showered Mr Carney with far more respect than he had given to his predecessor Justin Trudeau. Not once, for instance, did Mr Trump call Mr Carney “governor” as if the US already held sovereignty over its northern neighbour.

“I watched the (election) debate, I thought you were excellent,” said Mr Trump of the PM.

“I have watched him come up through the ranks. I have a lot of respect for this man”.

Indeed, Mr Trump made a reference to the disastrous meeting he had with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky in the same office.

“We had a little blow up with somebody else. That was much different to this. This is a very friendly conversation”.

Mr Trump said the main thing he wanted out of the talks was “friendship” with Canada.

Mr Carney called Mr Trump a “transformational president” and said the two nations were “stronger when we work together”.

Inevitably, Mr Trump’s comments about Canada becoming a US state came up.

Mr Carney was adamant: “There are some places that are never for sale – I’m sitting in one right now,” he said, referring to the White House.

“Canada is not for sale (and) won’t be for sale ever.

“But the opportunity is in the partnership”.

The meeting was certainly more cordial than some at the White House recently. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

‘Never say never’

Mr Trump replied with “never say never” although he also said that it “takes two to tango, right”.

“I’ve had many, many things that were not doable, and they ended up being doable.

“(Although) only doable in a very friendly way. But if it’s to everybody’s benefit. Canada loves us, and we love Canada, that’s the number one thing that’s important, but we’ll see, over time”

Things got less warm when Mr Trump was asked about whether Canada could so anything to have tariffs removed.

“No,” he bluntly said, adding the US didn't need Canadian cars, steel or aluminium.

Mr Trump commended Canada for paying more towards defence and continued to complain it was getting “free” defence from the US.

“We protect Canada militarily, and we always will. That’s not a money thing – we always will. But, you know, it’s not fair.”

“This is a bigger discussion than one thing, and this will take sometime,” Mr Carney replied.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had to keep a poker face at times. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP)

The former banker recently said Mr Trump’s is not saying “idle threats” about taking over Canada but that will “never happen”.

But Mr Carney also sought to cool tensions between the two nations.

“Canada and the United States are strongest when we work together — and that work starts now,” Mr Carney said on X as he arrived in Washington on Monday night.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, is greeted by Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman, second left, U.S. Acting Chief of Protocol Abby Jones, and U.S. Col. Randall J. Heusser after he disembarks a government plane Monday, May 5, 2025, as he arrives in Washington. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

Mr Trump has called Mr Carney a “very nice gentleman” but made it clear he believed the Canadian was coming begging for a trade deal.

“He’s coming to see me. I’m not sure what he wants to see me about, but I guess he wants to make a deal. Everybody does,” Mr Trump told reporters on Monday.

In another interview, Mr Trump said it was “highly unlikely” the US would use military force against its northern neighbour.

“I don’t see it with Canada”. But it was hardly an unequivocal “no”.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney could have a frosty White House encounter. (Photo by PATRICK DOYLE / AFP)

‘Most important announcements made in many years’

Donald Trump used the meeting to spruik “one of the most important announcement that has ever been made”.

It certainly didn’t seem to be about Canada. Later in the meeting Mr Trump also suggested it very possibly wasn’t about trade or a trade deal.

“We’re going to have a very, very big announcement to make, like, as big as it gets, and I won’t tell you on what, but it’s … very positive.

“It will be one of the most important announcements have been made in many years about a certain subject, very important subject.”

Mr Trump said the announcement could be made anytime between Thursday and Monday.

In addition, Mr Trump said the Houthis “have said they didn't want to fight anymore”.

“They just don’t want to fight and they have capitulated.

“We will take their word they say they will not be blowing up ships anymore”.

– with AFP.

Originally published as ‘Never ever’: Canadian PM Mark Carney confronts Donald Trump at White House