Trump says he's 'the greatest thing to ever happen' to Carney as duo meet in DC

Mark Carney enjoyed a predictably colourful public meeting with Donald Trump in the Oval Office earlier today.

The prime minister was repeatedly complimented by his American opposite number, who said he has “a lot of respect” for the Liberal leader.

Trump even said he was the “greatest thing to ever happen to” Carney, a reference to the president’s role in resurrecting the moribund Grits and propelling them to an election victory last week.

But when Trump said he’d still like to see Canada join the United States – calling the union “a wonderful marriage” – Carney was firm in response.

“As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale," he said, highlighting the White House and Buckingham Palace. Trump, who said “it takes two to tango,” did not react negatively to Carney’s point.

Carney emphasized numerous more times that Canada will “never” join the US.

The prime minister, however, was otherwise full of praise for Trump, hailing him as a “transformative” president who has “revitalized” NATO.

On CUSMA, Trump said the deal was “very effective” but has not been properly followed by some parties.

He also said he would “love” to do a deal with Canada, adding: “Something could happen.”

The duo, however, were keen to emphasize that the discussion at the moment was more about “concepts” than details.

President Trump meets with Canadian Prime Minister @MarkJCarney in the Oval Office.

"Regardless of anything, we are going to be friends with Canada... I have a lot of respect for the Canadians." - @POTUS 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/IzqFbAtzlg

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 6, 2025

Asked what concession he’d most like from Canada, Trump simply said: “Friendship,” adding that the two countries will be friends.

Trump also said the US will always protect Canada militarily, explaining that that relationship is not a “money thing.”

But the president did say he didn’t like Justin Trudeau and, though he didn’t mention her by name, expressed detestation for Chrystia Freeland.

LIVE: from Washington, D.C. • EN DIRECT : de Washington, D.C. https://t.co/5AjeRHt2g5

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) May 6, 2025

Trump also spent large stretches of the press conference denouncing Barack Obama’s presidential library in Chicago and California Governor Gavin Newsom’s administrative talents.

He also repeated his claims that the US is "subsidizing" Canada and said once again that the US doesn’t want cars from Canada.