When Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney fact-checked US President Donald Trump during their first recognized meet at the White House on Tuesday, what started as a normal political visit rapidly turned into a high-stakes change. Trump downplayed Canada’s business value to the United States as devices rolled in the Oval Office, saying,” We don’t do much firm with Canada from our point. They cooperate with us a bit. We’re at like 4 %”. However, Carney stepped in forcefully and was composed and quiet. Regarding Trump’s earlier comment about annexing Canada and his early days in office, Carney said,” Respectfully, Canadians ‘ view on this is not going to change on the 51st state.” According to CNN, Trump’s” 4 %” figure is false, adding,” We are the largest clientele of the United States in the totality of all the products.” In fact, Canada exported almost 17 % of all US goods between February and March 2025, more than any other nation, according to official US trade data. According to the US trade representative, Canada purchased approximately$ 440 billion worth of US goods and services in full in 2024, making it the top destination for American imports. Furthering the place, Carney more emphasised how tightly woven both countries ‘ markets are. Between the two of us, there is a formidable automobile industry. You’re aware that 50 % of Canadian automobiles are American. That’s unique to the earth, he said. When Trump suggested annexing Canada, Carney even remained firm on Canada’s autonomy, according to the AP. He straight told Trump,” Some places are not for sale,” he said. ” One of them is Canada,” she says. And it hasn’t always been available for purchase. Trump smirked and said,” Never say not,” to which Carney responded with a soft but unwavering” Never, never, not.” Despite the tension, Trump made it clear that he was sympathetic to Carney’s easy response. As the meeting rolled around, the senator said,” I like this guy,” which appeared to indicate more value than annoyance. However, the meeting exemplified how under Trump Oval Office discussions have changed. These incidents have changed from official photo ops to unexpected exchanges where unusual leaders must choose between politics and confrontation, according to AP reports. Trump also veered into related issues during the meeting, including questions about Barack Obama’s library’s recent news to stop bombing Yemen, which clearly made Carney uncomfortable. The American leader’s lips tightened at one point, and his fingers remained firmly pressed as he struggled to reshape the conversation into major policy place. Trump also retorted a long-debunked claim that the US was” subsidising Canada to the tune of maybe$ 200 billion annually.” But, according to CNN, Trump’s inflated figure for the US trade deficit with Canada in 2024 was about$ 36 billion, which is far below Trump’s exaggerated figure. Even when excluding goods, the gap was only about$ 71 billion, not a subsidy, and nowhere near$ 200 billion.
