Trump brings back ‘51st state’ joke in meeting with Mark Carney: ‘Merger of Canada and US’

WASHINGTON, DC: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was caught off guard during his meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office when Trump quipped about Canada merging with the US.

Trump opened the meeting, saying, “We’ll spend some time and we’ll make some deals… It’s an honor to have you."

Carney praised Trump’s leadership, saying, “You are a transformative president… unprecedented commitments of NATO partners to defense spending…” Before Carney could finish, Trump interjected, “The merger of Canada and the United States.” Carney laughed, replying, “That wasn’t where I was going.” 

Trump talks about ‘mutual love’ and ‘natural conflict’ with Canada 

The exchange set a lighter tone, but Trump quickly shifted toward substantive matters, saying, “We have the world’s most peaceful border. The people of Canada will love us again once details of a trade deal are revealed.”

Trump acknowledged that trade discussions with Canada are “more complicated” than those the US has with any other nation, citing competing business interests and close geographical proximity. Yet he expressed optimism, saying, “I want Canada to do well,” specifically referencing the auto manufacturing sector.

When asked why Canada and the US failed to reach an agreement, the president said, “It is a complicated agreement. More complicated than any other agreement we have on trade. We have natural conflict. We also have mutual love. I love Canada and the people of Canada... We don't want to compete. It is a natural business conflict. We have come a long way in the last few months,” said Trump, adding that compromises on steel were made.

Trump has previously joked on several occasions about Canada “becoming the 51st state” of the United States — remarks that have drawn both amusement and concern north of the border.

During a Mar-a-Lago dinner with then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump quipped that Canada could be split into “two great American states” if trade disputes persisted.

He also posted on Truth Social that “many Canadians would love to be our 51st state,” citing lower taxes and stronger defense ties.

Trump praises Canada’s fentanyl crackdown 

The president also praised Canada’s progress in combating fentanyl trafficking. “They’ve worked hard, and they’ve done a much better job than in the past,” he said.

Fentanyl concerns have been central to trade tensions and were cited in the imposition of steep 35% tariffs on certain Canadian goods not covered under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Although details of any trade agreement remain unclear, both leaders signaled a more positive atmosphere.

Carney returned Trump’s praise by underscoring Canada’s support for peace and security efforts. Trump said there is a possibility of having peace in the Middle East and added that the two leaders would be discussing tariff rates today.

“We want Canada to do great, but there's a point at which we also want the same business,” Trump said.