Newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is standing up to President Donald Trump.
Carney discussed his upcoming meeting with Trump in comments to reporters on Friday as he pushed back on Trump’s push to make Canada the 51st state of the U.S. When asked if Trump brought up his urge to annex Canada in a phone call with Carney, the newly elected leader said Trump did not.
“In your second call with the president, did Mr. Trump outright say or insinuate at any point that Canada should become the 51st state?,” a reporter asked Carney.
“No, he did not,” Carney responded.
Some social media users roasted Trump for not even bringing up the annexation of Canada to the country’s leader.
One user wrote on social media platform X: “Brutal.Carney didn’t flinch, didn’t fold—and Trump’s bravado melted into silence.Canada’s playing chess while Trump’s stuck on slogans.”
Trump has repeatedly said that he wants Canada to be the 51st state of the U.S. and has repeatedly criticized Canada and its leaders. Trump frequently called former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the “governor” of Canada in his comments about him.
Canadians have pushed back on Trump’s rhetoric, saying that they do not want to become a part of the United States. This also comes as Trump has implemented costly tariffs on imported goods from Canada, escalating the feud between the two allied countries.
Carney firmly rejected Trump’s push to annex Canada in comments to reporters on Friday.
“It is always important to distinguish want from reality. Right? What someone wants and what is reality. What the Canadian people have clearly stated, virtually without exception is that this will never happen,“ Carney added.
He noted that he is meeting with Trump to discuss the partnership between the U.S. and Canada and vowed to “fight for the best deal for Canada and only accept the best deal.”
While Canadian voters worried about the cost of living, about crime and other issues, the election became a referendum on Trump in a land where he is deeply unpopular.
Trump’s annexation threats and trade war have upended Canada’s identity in ways few Americans understand. The attacks are viewed as not only deeply insulting, but a stinging betrayal by what was supposed to be the country’s closest friend and trading partner.
They have sparked a wave of nationalism typically foreign to a country that is better known for apologizing than flag waving.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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