On May 6, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met US President Donald Trump for the first time in Washington. Amid ongoing trade tensions, the two sides discussed a wide range of issues, including tariffs, security, and economic cooperation.

Carney's key statement came in response to Trump's earlier hints about Canada joining the US: "There are some places that are never for sale. Canada is not for sale and will not be sold. We are a sovereign country." Trump responded by saying "never say never," but reiterated his friendly intentions toward Canada.

Despite the harsh statements, the meeting was constructive and friendly. Trump praised Carney for his "outstanding qualities" and congratulated him on his election victory. In turn, Carney called Trump a "transformational leader."

Carney said at a press conference: "We have shown that Canada and the United States are stronger when they work together." He added that the meeting was substantive and paved the way for further talks, including at the upcoming G7 summit in Alberta in June.

The Canadian prime minister also confirmed that he had discussed with Trump the issue of lifting the US tariffs, which were previously imposed in connection with the border crisis and the trafficking of fentanyl. According to Carney, Canada has already achieved a 90% reduction in illegal border crossings and has invested $1.5 billion in security, which makes the position on lifting the tariffs justified.

However, Trump made it clear that he does not intend to make concessions yet. He stressed that the USMCA agreement, signed during his first term, will be renegotiated or terminated in 2026. Carney noted that the USMCA is only a framework for broader negotiations, and there are provisions in it that are subject to renegotiation.

The topic of the "51st state" also came up again. Carney confirmed that he asked Trump not to use the term again, but added: "He is the president. He has his own style. But we are conducting the dialogue as equals, as sovereign states." Ministers and advisers from both countries took part in the talks. Carney's visit was an important step towards restoring productive and mutually beneficial relations between Canada and the United States.