Trump, Carney standoff against the Oval Office makes tariff differences different in 51st state
The two saved it, but as for Trump’s call to make Canada the 51st state, Carney insisted that his country was “not for sale” and Trump hit back, “time will prove.”
Trump asked frankly if there was anything to tell him that tariffs in Canada were as high as 25%, and Trump said bluntly: “No.”
The U.S. president added: “It’s exactly what it looks like.”
Carney acknowledged that the tariffs were under-focused on Trump, saying “it was a bigger discussion.”
“There's a bigger force involved,” the Canadian leader continued. “It will take some time and some discussion. That's why we're having the discussion here.”
The meeting between the two leaders demonstrates the full scope of Trump's unique aggression, hospitality and stubbornness.
Shortly before Carney arrived, Trump posted a Canadian insult on social media, saying that the United States does not need “anything” from its northern neighbors, and then opened up the charm and praised Carney's election victory before showing his stability to policy material issues.
Carney promised to face the increased aggressiveness Trump showed, even as he retained the calm manner of an economist who led the central banks of Canada and the UK.
Sometimes Carney struggles to chime in and raises his hand to speak, Trump goes out of his way and turns between subjects, touches California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, Carney’s former Justin Trudeau, and teases the upcoming announcement of “great” that “not necessarily in the deal.”
Trump said he wanted Canada to be the 51st state in the United States and offends Canada's pride and friendship by imposing huge tariffs on key partners in automobile manufacturing and supply of oil, electricity and other goods. The outrage caused by Trump led Carney's Liberals to score a stunning comeback victory last month as the trade war and attacks on Canadian sovereignty piss voters outraged.
Trump said the two would not discuss making Canada a part of the United States, even if he insisted that the idea would lead to lower taxes for Canadians.
“It’s not for sale,” Carney said. “It won’t be for sale.
Trump insists that the United States does not want to buy cars from Canada even if the vehicles are rallying in the United States. The U.S. leader insists that the $63 billion commodity trade deficit (which he swells to $200 billion) is a subsidy that needs to be ended.
The meeting never evolved into what the public saw during Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was criticized by the U.S. president and his team for not having enough dignity. Trump sat down with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and invited Trump to attend a visit provided by King Charles III.
Carney later described his conversation with Trump as “wide range” and “constructive”, telling reporters that there is positive negotiations in the prospect, but there will be “Zigs and Zags”. Carney said he highlighted the value Canadian companies and factories create for U.S. automakers, while stressing that it is unfair to assume a meeting can resolve any difference.
“I wouldn't expect white smoke to appear in this meeting,” Carney said after the meeting on Tuesday, pointing out the signal that he had chosen the new pope.
Carney said he privately asked Trump to stop referring to Canada as the 51st state during the meeting. But when Trump reacted, the Canadian Prime Minister said: “He is the president. He is his own person.”
Later, Trump was asked if he would give Carney his “governor” nickname on Trudeau. The nickname is a slight meaning that the Canadian leader is ultimately just one of the U.S. governors.
“Just call him Governor Carney, no, I haven't done that yet, maybe I won't,” Trump said. “I do have a lot of fun with Trudeau. But I think it's an important step. It's a great step for Canada.”
Trump added that the meeting with Carney was “good” and he believed the ongoing relationship would be “strong.”
Senior Canadian government officials said the president asked Kahne to think of various foreign policy issues including Iran, Russia, Ukraine and China. The official, who was reluctant to publicly state the anonymity on the matter, said Trump was looking forward to the G-7 meeting in Alberta, Canada.
The bets for the meeting are high and the information is mixed in advance. Trump told reporters on Monday that he was not sure why Carney was visiting.
“I'm not sure what he wants to see,” Trump said. “But I think he wants to reach a deal.”
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick further doubted their interest in rehabilitating relations with Canada in an interview on Fox Business Network's “Kudlow” program on Monday.
When asked if the U.S. could make a deal with Canada, Lutnik called the country a “socialist regime” and the country was basically supported in the United States. Lutnik said Tuesday's meeting would be “engrossing”.
Carney said in a Friday press conference before the trip that the negotiations will focus on immediate trade pressures and broader economic and national security relations. He said his administration will work to get the best deal for Canada to get the best deal for Canada even as Canada engages in a series of relationships with other allies and reduces commitments with the United States.
Trump insists that the United States does not need anything from Canada. He is actively pursuing the Canadian auto industry that U.S. companies have mainly established, and he said: “They are stopping work in Mexico, they are stopping work in Canada, and they are all moving here.” He also said that the United States does not need Canadian energy – although a quarter of the oil consumed every day in the United States comes from Alberta.
Although the partnership ranges from Normandy Beach in World War II to remoteness in Afghanistan, the president also devalues Canada's military commitments. He told Carney on Tuesday that the U.S. will continue to provide national security support to Canada.
Trump imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum and tariffs on products outside the U.S.-Mexico overseas agreement, ostensibly to address the relatively low fentanyl interception on the northern border. As Canada's demand for ties with the EU and other countries is increasing, this has jeopardized close-knit trade relations.
Canada is the highest export destination in 36 states in the United States. Every day, nearly CAD 3.6 billion (CAD 2.7 billion) of goods and services cross the border. About 60% of the U.S. crude oil imports come from Canada, and 85% of the U.S. electricity imports come from Canada.
Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium in the United States, with 34 key minerals and metals, and the Pentagon is eager to and invest in national security. Canada is one of the most dependent countries in the world on trade, with 77% of Canadian exporters going to the United States
