Canada ‘Not for Sale,’ PM Carney Tells Trump Amid 51st State Speculation

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney firmly dismissed the idea of Canada becoming the 51st US state during a joint appearance with President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, stating unequivocally that Canada “is not for sale — ever,” Fox News reports.

The comment came in response to President Trump’s repeated claims throughout his campaign and presidency that Canada should join the United States as a state, along with his previously stated interest in acquiring territories such as Greenland and the Panama Canal for strategic purposes.

“Having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign the last several months, it’s not for sale,” Carney said during remarks at the White House. “Won’t be for sale ever, but the opportunity is in the partnership and what we can build together.”

Carney emphasized the importance of Canada’s alliance with the US, particularly in matters of security.

“We have done that in the past, and part of that, as the president just said, is with respect to our security. My government is committed to a step change in our investment in Canadian security and our partnership,” he said.

President Trump, acknowledging Canada’s growing defense investment, maintained a more open-ended view.

“Never say never,” he said, responding to a question about the possibility of Canada joining the Union. “I’ve had many, many things that were not doable, and they ended up being doable.”

Despite Trump’s persistence, Carney reiterated that Canada’s position on the issue is resolute.

“Respectfully, Canadians’ view on this is not going to change on the 51st state,” he said.

The exchange follows comments Trump made in an April interview with Time magazine, where he insisted his proposal to make Canada a state was serious.

“We’re taking care of their military. We’re taking care of every aspect of their lives,” Trump said. “We don’t need their lumber. We don’t need their energy. We don’t need anything from Canada. And I say the only way this thing really works is for Canada to become a state.”

The former president also addressed the issue in a recent NBC interview, stating he did not anticipate using military action to achieve such ends but did not fully rule out the possibility.

“Well, I think we’re not going to ever get to that point,” Trump said. “It could happen.”

Trump also reaffirmed his long-standing interest in Greenland, citing increased Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic as justification for its strategic value.

“Something could happen with Greenland,” he told NBC. “I’ll be honest, we need that for national and international security.”

Despite the president’s repeated assertions, both Canadian and Greenlandic leaders have consistently rejected the notion of annexation, affirming their countries’ sovereignty and independence.