WASHINGTON (TNND) — Canada’s new prime minister, Mark Carney, will be in Washington on Tuesday to meet with President Donald Trump, with an opportunity to confront his annexation threats and trade war.
Since taking office again in January, Trump continues to push the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state and has hit the country with a 25% tariff on imports.
During an interview Sunday with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Trump called the border an “artificial line” that prevents the two territories from forming a “beautiful country.”
The outrage provoked by Trump enabled Carney’s Liberal Party to score a stunning comeback victory last month as the ongoing trade war and attacks on Canadian sovereignty have outraged voters.
Carney has stressed that he was elected to specifically “stand up” to the U.S. president and that Canada is “in a once-in-a-lifetime crisis.” Carney said he expects “difficult” but “constructive” conversations with his U.S. counterpart.
“President Trump, stay out of our election. The only people who will decide the future of Canada are Canadians at the ballot box,” Carney posted hours before winning the election. “Canada will always be proud, sovereign and independent and we will NEVER be the 51st state.”
During a news conference Friday ahead of his trip, Carney said the talks would focus on immediate trade pressures and the broader economic and national security relationships.
“My government will fight to get the best deal for Canada,” he said.
Trump said on Monday that he wasn’t sure what Carney wanted to see him about.
“I guess he wants to make a deal,” the president told reporters in the Oval Office.
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Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.
