On Tuesday morning, the new Canadian prime minister arrived at the Oval Office to meet with the American president. Initially, the atmosphere appeared tense, but President Trump expressed a warm sentiment towards Canada. “Canada is a very special place to me,” he stated, highlighting personal connections to the country.
This comment contrasted sharply with his previous criticisms of Canadians, where he labeled them as freeloaders relying on the United States. However, during the meeting, Trump asserted his love for Canada and emphasized mutual affection, stating, “Canada loves us and we love Canada.”
When asked about concessions he hoped to receive from Canada, Trump replied, “Uh, friendship.” Throughout the meeting, Prime Minister Mark Carney maintained a cautious demeanor, fidgeting and appearing guarded while Trump presented a more relaxed posture.
Facing the fallout from previous comments about Canada potentially becoming the 51st state, Trump appeared reluctant to confront these issues directly. Instead, he diverted the discussion to various unrelated topics, which included the construction of Barack Obama’s library, high-speed rail projects in California, and foreign diplomatic matters.
In response to Trump’s earlier remarks, Carney firmly stated, “There are some places that are never for sale.” Although Trump attempted to insert humor into the conversation, such as suggesting possibilities in the future, it was clear he was not fully invested in the topic which had previously caused tension.
The meeting included notable figures from Trump’s administration, yet they remained silent throughout, adhering to an unspoken directive aimed at maintaining a friendly atmosphere. Trump reaffirmed the positive nature of the discussion, declaring, “This is a very friendly conversation,” and insisting that, “Regardless of anything, we’re going to be friends with Canada.”