President Trump stirred headlines again on Monday when he playfully reignited the long-standing joke—and secret wish of many Americans—about Canada one day joining the United States. This time, his comment came during a tense but cordial meeting in the Oval Office with newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Carney’s surprise Oval Office meeting with Trump came just over a week after his election victory. The conversation focused primarily on trade tensions, particularly around tariffs that have put a strain on U.S.-Canada relations. Ontario Premier Doug Ford and other Canadian leaders have publicly lashed out at Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, while Trump has stood firm on bringing manufacturing back to America and rebalancing trade across the board.
But in typical Trump fashion, the meeting wasn’t all spreadsheets and policy points—it included one well-timed zinger that left the room buzzing.
During the press portion of the meeting, a reporter asked Carney about speculation that Canada might someday become the 51st state of the United States—a tongue-in-cheek reference that’s floated around diplomatic circles for decades but has recently gained more attention as Canada’s economy wobbles under global inflation and energy policy failures.
Carney, clearly annoyed, gave a stiff, pre-packaged answer. “There are some places that are never for sale, we’re sitting in one right now,” he said, adding that the Canadian people had made it clear during his campaign that “it won’t be for sale ever.”
He tried to pivot by emphasizing “partnership” and listing Canada’s recent steps to boost its military defense spending—moves widely seen as a response to Trump’s calls for NATO nations to stop freeloading.
But Trump wasn’t about to let Carney have the last word.
With a grin on his face and cameras rolling, Trump simply responded: “Never say never!” The remark immediately drew laughs in the room—and groans from Trudeau holdovers back in Ottawa.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney: “Canada is not for sale, it won't be for sale ever..”
President Trump: “Never say never”
— Kekius Maximus II (@alx) May 6, 2025
While clearly said in jest, Trump’s comment once again highlights his mastery of political theater. He knows how to drive a headline, strike a chord with nationalists, and rattle globalists—all in one sentence.
And let’s be honest: compared to Justin Trudeau’s weak globalist legacy, Trump and a bold America-Canada economic alliance might not sound so bad to many up north.
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