US President Donald Trump trolled Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney with a “51st-state” jab during their Oval Office meeting on Tuesday, moments before the two leaders discussed tariffs and trade.
Trump jumped in as Carney stumbled while speaking on the second anniversary of the Hamas October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, as the Canadian leader began listing topics including “disabling Iran as a force of terror, and now and I’m running out of time, but this is many respects the most important.”
With a smirk, Trump cut in, joking that “Merger of Canada and the United States,” prompting laughter from those in the Oval Office. However, he quicky clarified, “I’m only kidding.”
Carney also couldn’t help but laugh. “That wasn’t where I was going,” he said.
TALKS OVER TRADE, SECURITY, AND GAZA CEASEFIRE
The meeting centred on trade, regional security, and Trump’s proposed Gaza ceasefire plan. “We’re in serious negotiations to end a conflict — you could say 3,000 years old,” Trump said.
“There’s a possibility we could have peace in the Middle East, something beyond the Gaza situation. We want to release the hostages,” he added.
The US president claimed his plan had near-universal backing, saying, “Every country in the world has supported the plan. I don’t think there’s anybody that hasn’t approved.” He hinted that the US and Canada would “make deals and do things that are good for both of our countries.”
Carney praised Trump’s leadership, calling him a transformative president who had strengthened the US economy, pushed Nato allies on defence spending, and fostered peace from India and Pakistan to Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The warmth in bilateral relations between the two nations comes even as their countries diverge on major foreign policy issues, notably Gaza. The United States has stood firmly with Israel, while Canada formally recognised the State of Palestine on September 21.
After taking office in March, Mark Carney made a bold declaration on Canada’s sovereignty, vowing never to let Ottawa become “part of America in any way”.
“America is not Canada. Canada will never ever be part of the US in any way, shape, or form, he said.
– Ends
With inputs form agencies
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