‘Canada is not for sale’, PM Carney tells Trump

Washington D.C.: In his first meeting at the Oval Office on Tuesday after forming a minority government, Prime Minister Mark Carney told U.S. President Donald Trump that “Canada is not for sale.”

Responding to the Prime Minister, Trump said, “Never say never.”

In his discussions, Trump repeated his assertion that the border between the two countries is an “artificially drawn line from many years ago.”

“I’m a real estate developer at heart. When you get rid of that artificially drawn line — somebody drew that line many years ago with a ruler, just a straight line across the top of the country. When you look at the beautiful formation when it’s together… I say, that’s the way it was meant to be.”

Responding to Trump, Carney said, “As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale… We’re sitting in one place right now… Buckingham Palace, which you visited as well. And having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign the last several months, it’s not for sale. It won’t be for sale ever.”

The Prime Minister said the opportunity is in partnership and that both countries can build together.

Trump said the U.S. and Canada are friends but repeated his assertion about making Canada the 51st state.

When asked how serious he is about making Canada the 51st state, the President said it is in Canada’s interest to be part of the U.S. However, he added that the topic would not be discussed that day.

The President congratulated the Prime Minister on his election victory. He credited Carney with one of the greatest comebacks in political history.

“Canada chose a very talented person — a good person. You ran a really great race… I watched the debate,” Trump said.

Carney called Trump a “transformational” president and said he wants to find ways to work together.

Praising Carney, Trump said, “I have a lot of respect for this man. We’re going to be friends with Canada… Canada’s a very special place to me… I love Canada.”