Donald Trump welcomed Mark Carney to an Oval Office refurbished, in his words, “with love and carat gold”.
But there was more gold than love on display when they got around to discussing the annexation of Canada.
The US president said it would be “better” for the people of Canada, opening the door for the inevitable response.
Prime Minister Carney replied that he had met with the people, “the owners of Canada” during the campaign, adding: “Canada is not for sale.”
His approach, largely shutting the debate down, can be summed up in four words: the people have spoken.
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Trump latest: President meets Carney in Oval Office
Listing the White House and Buckingham Palace among other places “not for sale”, his answer on the 51st state question appeared well prepared.
But when it came to the issue of tariffs, the new premier struggled to get a word in edgeways.
Instead, his body language spoke volumes – the clenched jaw, a hand raised several times in an attempt to interject, and the silent mouthing of two words – “never, never”.
That was Carney’s response when Trump suggested never saying never to the annexation question.
Diplomats on both sides will be relieved that the meeting was more cordial than the prelude.
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Just moments before the Canadian prime minister arrived, the US president launched a scathing attack on the neighbours.
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On his Truth Social platform, Trump posted: “Why is America subsidizing Canada by $200 billion a year, in addition to giving them FREE military protection, and many other things?”
If that was a $200bn bid for Canada, the people have spoken and their message to the former real-estate tycoon now occupying the White House is very clear: “Canada is not for sale.”
