Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, just visited the White House for a sit-down with U.S. President Donald Trump.
While the meeting covered a range of topics, one surprising idea stirred the conversation — the long-debated notion of Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state.
Though mostly symbolic, the topic sparked some pointed remarks, with Carney making it clear where he stands — and Trump, unsurprisingly, not holding back.
Wasted no time
Donald Trump just can’t let the idea go — he keeps bringing up turning Canada into America’s 51st state.
During a high-profile visit to the White House on May 6, Canada’s newly elected Prime Minister,Mark Carney, finally addressed the elephant in the room: he wants Trump to stop calling Canada the next U.S. state.
Carney’s visit to Washington, D.C., began with some uncertainty, as Trump admitted to reporters the day before their meeting that he wasn’t quite sure what the new prime minister had on his agenda.
“I guess he wants to make a deal. Everybody does,” Trump said.
When the two leaders finally met in front of the cameras before heading into a private lunch, Trump wasted no time bringing up his favorite fantasy: folding Canada into the United States.
This time, he took it a step further — suggesting that Canada and the U.S. could enter into what he called a “wonderful marriage.”
Carey didn’t mince words
Carney, however, didn’t appear too eager to walk down the aisle. The Canadian leader made it clear that while he was open to diplomacy and trade talks, the whole “51st state” thing? Still not on the table.
While both leaders also traded compliments — Trump calling Carney a “very talented person,” and Carney referring to Trump as a “transformational president” — it didn’t take long for the statehood subject to resurface.
And Carney didn’t mince words.
Echoing Trudeau’s firm stance, Carney shut the door on any possibility of Canada joining the U.S., declaring:
“As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale.”
He added that after months of meeting with Canadian citizens, he’s more confident than ever:
“It’s not for sale. Won’t be for sale, ever.”
Straight out of a Justin Bieber lyric
Carney even compared Canada to historic landmarks like the Oval Office and Buckingham Palace — things that simply aren’t up for grabs.
“We are masters in our own home,” he said. “We can give ourselves far more than any foreign government can ever take away.”
But if Carney expected a respectful nod in return, he was in for a surprise.
Trump shot back with a line that sounded like it came straight out of a Justin Bieber lyric: “I say, ‘Never say never.’”
He didn’t stop there.
“I’ve had many, many things that were not doable and ended up being doable,”
Trump added, suggesting the door might not be as closed as Carney believes.
Body expert weighs in
Meanwhile, body language expert Beth Dawson analyzed the leaders’ interaction outside the White House, offering an interesting take on the dynamic. She described Carney as “assertive, but also submissive and apprehensive,” noting his cautious approach.
“The elbow touch shows he wants to establish connection on equal terms. His expression is one of determination… but he seems slightly intimidated,” Dawson said.
Only time will tell if this was just another off-the-cuff Trump moment or a hint at something bigger brewing. Either way, Carney seems set on keeping Canada exactly where it is — north of the border, and proudly independent.
Would you ever want to see Canada become the 51st state?