Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday pointedly said that Canada will never be for sale and rejected the idea of his country becoming a U.S. state as he sat beside President Trump in the Oval Office.
He put Canada’s position in real estate terms for Mr. Trump.
“As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale,” Mr. Carney said. “We’re sitting in one right now, you know Buckingham Palace, you visited as well. And having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign in the last several months — it’s not for sale, won’t be for sale ever.”
“The opportunity is in the partnership and what we can build together. We have done that in the past,” he said.
Mr. Trump was asked about his oft-repeated idea of Canada becoming the 51st state. The president said it “takes two to tango,” but he still believes it would be beneficial for Canada.
He also said Canadians would see massive tax cuts, free military and better health care if they became U.S. citizens. He added that “as a real estate developer,” he would love to see the line separating the U.S. and Canada disappear.
“We’re not going to be discussing that unless somebody wants to discuss it,” Mr. Trump said. “I think there are tremendous benefits to the Canadian citizens.”
After hearing Mr. Carney’s response, Mr. Trump hit back with “never say never,” but did acknowledge that Canada has been “stepping up the military.”
Mr. Carney, looking at the cameras, mouthed “never” five times.
