• Source:JND
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US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday (local time) discussed a wide range of issues during a joint appearance in the Oval Office, where he praised his leadership and credited him for brokering the India-Pakistan ceasefire— a claim New Delhi rejected on multiple ocassions.

Speaking to reporters, Carney thanked President Trump for hosting him "for a second time this year," describing the American leader as "a transformative president." "You are a transformative President. Since then, transformation in the economy, unprecedented commitment to NATO partners to defence spending, peace from India, Pakistan and Armenia, disabling Iran as a force of terror,” Carney said.

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The Canadian Prime Minister went on to commend Trump's record in global affairs, noting his success in securing "unprecedented commitments from NATO partners to defence spending" and "disabling Iran as a force of terror."

"Merger of Canada and US": Trump quips 

During the exchange, Trump interjected with a light-hearted comment about a "merger of Canada and the United States," which prompted laughter from those present. Carney smiled and replied, "That wasn't where I was going," before continuing with his remarks.

"I've been very creative... He said very carefully- Canada and the United States," Trump said, pointing at Carney's measured style of speaking.

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Trump added, "We've had some natural conflict, but we'll probably work that out. We've had a strong relationship, and your hosting of the various countries that showed up was a beautiful job you did, and I appreciate it very much. We're going to be talking about trade. We're going to be talking about different things. We'll certainly be talking about Gaza."

Trump has often said that Canada could avoid tariffs by becoming the 51st state. The repeated jabs about the US acquiring Canada have alienated Canadian travelers.

How Canadians reacted to Trump's bizarre offer

Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st state to avoid tariffs has infuriated Canadians, who are canceling trip s to the US in big numbers. There’s been a 23% drop in Canadian visits to the US in the first seven months of the year versus the same period in 2024, according to Canada’s national statistical office.

Although the camaraderie between the leaders was palpable, there was an air of anxiety too, as the US was in support of Israel and Canada had recognised the Palestinian state on September 21. In their previous meeting between the two leaders in May, Carney had bluntly told Trump that Canada would never be for sale in response to Trump's repeated threats to purchase or annex Canada.

(With inputs from agencies)