People baffled as Trump shows warmth in person toward Canada’s new prime minister after tough talk on social media.
Trump-Carney meeting showed tension and warmth
U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met in the Oval Office on Tuesday.
Their first face-to-face meeting came after weeks of sharp criticism online.
Previously, Trump accused Canada of exploiting the U.S. economically.
Despite strong language on social media, Trump welcomed Carney with warmth in person.
Addititionall, Trum also praised his recent election win and hosting him in a show of diplomacy.
Tensions between Trump and Canada’s new Prime Minister
Before their White House encounter, Trump posted a scathing message on Truth Social.
“I look forward to meeting the new Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney,” he wrote. “I very much want to work with him, but cannot understand one simple TRUTH — Why is America subsidizing Canada by $200 Billion Dollars a year, in addition to giving them FREE Military Protection, and many other things?”
Trump critized Canada’s dependence on American support and trade.
Despite calling Carney’s visit “an honor,” Trump claimed the U.S. gives Canada “$200 billion a year.”
Additionally, Trump added that the U.S. doesn’t need Canada’s energy, cars, or resources.
“We don’t need their Cars, we don’t need their Energy, we don’t need their Lumber, we don’t need ANYTHING they have, other than their friendship, which hopefully we will always maintain.
“They, on the other hand, need EVERYTHING from us! The Prime Minister will be arriving shortly and that will be, most likely, my only question of consequence.” Trump added.
He concluded the post saying Canada “needs everything from us,” while hoping to maintain the friendship between the neighboring countries.
Trump defends tariffs, repeats call to annex Canada.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met in the Oval Office on Tuesday amid escalating trade tensions.
The two leaders showed no willingness to back down from their deep differences.
During the metting, Trump again floated the idea of making Canada the 51st U.S. state. Carney quickly rejected the idea, saying, “Canada is not for sale — ever.”
Reporters asked if anything could prompt Trump to lift his tariffs on Canada, which reach up to 25%. His answer was blunt: “No. Just the way it is.”
Carney acknowledged the deeper issues at stake.
He also said that trade tensions go beyond rhetoric and would require long, difficult negotiations to resolve.
Carney, a seasoned economist, maintained composure even as Trump shifted between unrelated topics and dominated the conversation with long, unscripted comments.
Trump criticized previous Canadian leaders. The US president mentioned unrelated domestic issues, and teased a future announcement “not necessarily about trade.”
At one point, Carney raised his hand to interject—highlighting the challenge of engaging in a focused dialogue with Trump.
Canadian voters rewarded Carney’s firm stance in the face of U.S. aggression
Trump’s aggressive stance on Canada, including tariffs and sovereignty threats. It helped fuel Carney’s surprise election win last month.
Carney vowed to resist Trump’s pressure while defending Canada’s independence.
He emphasized protecting the country’s trade interests and its reputation as a cooperative U.S. partner.
Carney acknowledged that resolving the conflict would take time and diplomacy.
He also stressed the need to diversify Canada’s trade with other global allies.
U.S. officials questioned alliance with Canada
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick added to the tension by calling Canada a “socialist regime” that “feeds off America” during an interview on Fox Business Network.
His comments further strained the already tense atmosphere.
Lutnick also expressed doubt about future cooperation between the two nations.
He described Tuesday’s meeting as “fascinating,” signaling little hope for a quick resolution.
Meanwhile, Trump told reporters he was unsure of Carney’s agenda, saying, “I’m not sure what he wants to see me about,” Trump said. “But I guess he wants to make a deal.”