The spiciest moments from Carney and Trump's first White House meeting
It was a momentous day for Canada and the U.S., with President Donald Trump hosting Prime Minister Mark Carney for their first in-person meeting at the White House
The meeting comes after months of tensions between the two countries, which escalated into a trade war in March when Trump slapped 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods.
Since then, Canada has imposed retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. while deflecting Trump’s threats to the country’s sovereignty.
The tension at Tuesday’s White House press conference between Trump and Carney could have been cut with a knife.
Here are the spiciest moments from the face-off between the prime minister and the president.
CPAC/YouTube
Trump congratulated Carney on his federal election win
The president began the press conference by congratulating Carney for winning the federal election, but somehow managed to compliment himself in the process.
“He won a very big election in Canada. And I think I was probably the greatest thing that happened to him, but I can’t take full credit,” the president said with a smirk. “It was probably one of the greatest comebacks in the history of politics, maybe even greater than mine.”
Trump said Canadians chose “a very talented person, a very good person” and mentioned the phone calls he and Carney had before the election.
Carney replied amicably, thanking Trump for his hospitality and calling him a “transformational president” who focuses on the economy and border security.
“The history of Canada and the U.S. is [that] we’re stronger when we work together, and there are many opportunities to work together,” said the prime minister. “I look forward to addressing some of those issues that we have, but also finding those areas of mutual cooperation.”
Trump made jabs at the USMCA
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is a free trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada. It came into effect in 2018, replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Several reporters asked Trump about the USMCA, which is still in effect.
He said it was good and that the U.S. “uses it for certain things,” but took jabs at a Canadian politician who was working on the file.
“She was a terrible person, and she really hurt that deal very badly because she tried to take advantage of the deal,” he said.
He’s likely alluding to former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who was minister of international trade at the time.
Carney responded to the criticism, saying that the USMCA is the “basis for a broader negotiation.”
“Some things about it are going to have to change, and part of the way you’ve conducted these tariffs has taken advantage of existing aspects of USMCA, so it’s going to have to change,” he said. “There are other elements that have come, and that’s part of what we’re going to discuss.”
Carney slammed Trump’s ’51st state’ rhetoric
Canadian PM Mark Carney: “There are some places that are never for sale…Having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign the last several months, it’s not for sale. It won’t be for sale ever.” pic.twitter.com/piKLkYiL9S
— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) May 6, 2025
The U.S. president said he still believes that Canada should become the 51st state, but that “it takes two to tango.”
He continued to try to sell the concept by suggesting that it would provide Canadians with a massive tax cut, free military, and “tremendous medical cares.”
“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, that’s the way it was meant to be,” said Trump. “But we’re not going to be discussing that unless somebody wants to discuss it.”
Carney responded by stressing that Canada is not up for grabs.
“As you know, from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale. We’re sitting in one right now,” explained the prime minister. “Having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign last several months, it’s not for sale. Won’t be for sale, ever.”
He instead emphasized partnership.
“My government is committed for a step change in our investment in Canadian security and our partnership,” said Carney.
However, Trump replied, “Never say never.”
Trump doubles down on tariffs
CPAC/YouTube
A reporter asked the president if there was anything Carney could say to get him to lift the tariffs on Canada.
Without hesitation, Trump answered “no.”
“It’s the way it is,” he added when the journalist asked why not.
Carney responded, reminding the president that Canada is America’s largest client.
“To your question about, ‘is there one thing?’ No, this is a bigger discussion,” he explained. “There are much bigger forces involved, and this will take some time and some discussions, and that’s why we’re here to have those discussions.”
Trump made digs at Justin Trudeau
The president addressed auto tariffs and got one last dig in at former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“I used to call him Governor Trudeau. I think that probably didn’t help his election,” he said to a couple of laughs from his team.
Carney and Trump have agreed to have more discussions in the coming weeks and are planning another meeting at the upcoming G7 meeting in Alberta.