Washington (EFE).- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed confidence that his meeting with United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday marked the beginning of a new phase that will redefine bilateral relations after months of antagonism between both countries.
The White House meeting began with the two leaders appearing before the media.
The meeting between Trump and Carney, which was also attended by prominent of the Trump istration and the Canadian cabinet, took place in a relaxed atmosphere.
However, that didn’t stop the US president from expressing his interest in making Canada the 51st state as he said annexation would have “tremendous benefits” for Canadians like lower taxes or free military protection.
“I think it would really be a wonderful marriage because it’s two places. They get along very well. They like each other a lot,” Trump said.
Carney, who had been preparing for the meeting for weeks, responded to Trump’s words with a smile but a firm hand.
“(Canada) It’s not for sell, won’t be for sell, ever, but the opportunity is in the partnership,” said Carney, to which Trump responded, “Never say never.”
“As you know from the real estate market, there are some places that are never for sale. We are sitting in one right now,” the Canadian leader said to Trump.
Trump also stuck to his theory that Canada has little to negotiate with him because the US neither needs nor wants Canadian products, from cars to oil to steel.
At a press conference after the meeting, Carney said Trump was in favor of renegotiating trade relations between the two countries, “including USMCA,” the US–Mexico–Canada Agreement.
“The question now is how we will work together in the future, how we can build an economic and security relationship based on mutual respect,” he explained.
Carney said he believed they had laid a good foundation with the US for re-establishing a constructive relationship for negotiating a new economic and security partnership.
The Canadian PM said there would be new meetings with Trump and between senior officials from both countries in the coming weeks to continue negotiations. EFE
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