An Oval Office meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, took a turn for the awkward and is now making waves online. The viral moment came as Carney calmly pushed back on several of Trump’s claims—most notably the idea that Canada could or should become America’s 51st state.
Trump reignited his long-standing suggestion that Canada could join the U.S. as a way to avoid trade tariffs, which he recently set at 25 percent. Carney firmly shut that idea down, declaring: “Canada is not for sale. Won’t be for sale, ever.” He compared the country to revered institutions like the Oval Office or Buckingham Palace—places with symbolic and immovable value.
Things grew more tense when Trump claimed the U.S. doesn’t “do much business” with Canada. Carney quickly corrected him, stating Canada is actually the U.S.’s largest trading partner when total goods are accounted for. “We have a tremendous auto sector between the two of us,” he added, explaining that half of every Canadian-made car is actually American.
Despite the firm stance, Carney remained diplomatic, asserting Canada’s independence while extending a symbolic elbow touch that body language analysts interpreted as both assertive and cautiously respectful. Trump, ever undeterred, replied with a cheeky “Never say never,” adding that many things once thought impossible have eventually happened.
The exchange has sparked a flood of reactions online, with many praising Carney’s composure and fact-checking in the face of Trump’s bold assertions. As trade tensions continue and diplomatic dynamics shift, this moment may be just a preview of the tone ahead in North American relations.
