When a journalist asked whether Trump refers to Canada as the 51st state, Carney responded with a sharply worded and unapologetically blunt answer. The moment quickly drew attention for its brutal honesty and the clear dismissal of the question’s premise.
Video Transcript:
Hi, Mr. Carney. Mackenzie Gray with Global News. I think you’ve ducked Ashley and Lance’s question. So, I just give you one opportunity again. Yes or no? Did Mr. Trump bring up the 51st state in his call with you? I I I said that he did. I said that he did, but the the president um to be clear, sorry, Mackenzie, I should be answering you in English. the the him raising something and then where the discussion is. He has these things in his mind. It’s not this is not news. He raises it all the time. Okay. But then the question is what’s going to be done with it and does he understand where we stand more particularly where I stand. He is under no illusions. Never. Absolutely not. Never. Move on. Two sovereign nations coming together negotiating our partnership, our relationship. And the question is, will uh will there be a deal that’s acceptable uh to Canada? Um there’s a lot that will never be on the table uh in those negotiations and I’ve been absolutely clear about that. [Laughter] Continue. Sorry. Going forward, you’ve talked about that economic and security deal that you want to negotiate with the president. When my colleague Brian Plat asked you yesterday about what conditions would be involved in sitting down with the president, one thing you didn’t say was respect for Canada, which is something you’ve previously said before. So, I just want to be clear. Is that still something respect for Canada that needs to be done? Yeah. No, M absolutely right. Look, uh, this is not, um, this has to be a serious discussion. Sovereign nations, that’s what he and I agreed. It has to, you know, that has to remain the case. It’s not a photo op. It’s not a visit to Mara Lago. It’s not any of those things. Um, and I I also want to be clear that um, these will be tough negotiations. These will be tough discussions, but that’s why that and many other reasons is why we build Canada strong. It puts us in a better position. Look, we are absolutely clear and I say this, but reality is behind it. We can give ourselves far more than the Americans can take away. And just I’ll put numbers on this just for a second. You know, Bank of Canada thinks worst case uh US uh trade war, global trade war, it’s about $125 billion dollars off our economy a few years out. Just free trade in Canada is two billion for Canada. That’s before all the investment we’re talking about in housing. That’s before the investment in energy. That’s before investment in new trade quarters and critical minerals and others. Okay. So, by building the country, this is why I’m so focused and we’re so focused on building Canada strong. Yes. Yes, it’s creating good jobs, a better future for our country, but it also gives us leverage. It gives us leverage in the negotiation. We don’t have to do a deal in the short term. We will do the right deal. My government will do the right deal, the best deal for Canada. That’s why I am asking people for their votes.
