President Donald Trump kicked off his first call with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney by pitching the new leader the idea of a 51st state, the prime minister admitted this week.
The phone conversation occurred March 28, as the US prepared to slap 25% tariffs on Canadian imports. The call was described by Trump at the time as “extremely productive,” and by Carney as “cordial” and “positive.”
Carney initially claimed Trump “respected Canada’s sovereignty” during the chat, but has since come under fire for omitting the detail about Trump’s pushing his 51st state ambitions.
Trump used the call to tout the benefits of the Great White North joining the US, according to two sources.
“Let’s agree to disagree on that one,” Carney responded, before the two moved on to discussing trade.
Carney this week downplayed the omission.
“The President brings this up all the time. I told him, ‘That will never happen’ . . . the President says a lot of things,” he said at a campaign stop in British Columbia.
Meanwhile the White House told The Post Friday there was nothing to add to what Trump said on Truth Social right after the call.
The President doubled down this week on the remarks, saying Wednesday “Canada would cease to exist” without the US, and that he’s definitely not trolling with 51st state claims.
Canadians showed up in record numbers at advanced polls this week ahead of Monday’s federal election — one that’s been dominated by Trump, tariffs, and a tightening race, with Carney’s Liberals holding a 5-point lead over the Conservatives.
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