In the annals of U.S.-Canadian relations, yesterday will go down as odd, but not at all surprising. At least not if you’ve been following the interactions between the two neighboring countries and their leaders. Historically, the two countries have been, not just geographically adjacent, but longtime allies, robust trading partners, and frequent cross-border visitors. Transnational tourism has been a flourishing industry.
All those traditional connections began to be challenged, strained, even frayed, as Donald Trump emerged as America’s 47th President. He derided then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as Governor and referred to Canada as the 51st state. At least on days when he placed them ahead of Greenland for extending/accepting that distinguished honor. He accused Canada of treating the United States poorly because of horrible (for the U.S.) trade deals, negotiated by incompetent Presidents.
Due to dynamic social and political changes in Canada, Trudeau stepped aside early. Meanwhile, in the United States, President Trump continued to spout disparaging rhetoric about subsuming Canda, Greenland, the Panama Canal, and denigrating a variety of political leaders at home and abroad, in places such as our neighbors to the north and the south, respectively, Canada, and Mexico, as well as one of our key allies, Ukraine. Over the course of time, an interesting development occurred. The Canadian Left, which had been flailing under Trudeau, experienced a total about-face, and sent Mark Carney, a member of the Liberal Party, to a landslide victory.
Over the past couple of months, Carney, speaking for most Canadians, apparently, has continued to insist, Canada is not for sale. While bringing an affable personality, and unlike Volodymyr Zelensky, wearing a tailored suit to the White House, he also brought the simple, but firm message, Canada, and its 5,525-mile border, longest in the world, is not for sale, or annexation…or open to American statehood. Full stop.
Trump made a Real Estate analogy and suggested the design of the two countries, when viewed together was how it was meant to be. Carney responded, “As you know from Real Estate, there are some places that are never for sale. We’re sitting in one now. You know, Buckingham Palace that you visited as well. Having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign the last several months, it’s not for sale. It won’t be for sale ever.”
With that statement, Carney for all practical purposes, accomplished what he had come to Washington to do; stated in the clearest terms possible that his beloved O Canada is not amenable to becoming Canada, USA.
Trump being Trump, persisted, of course.
“Never say never,” Trump shrugged…as Carney mouthed the word “never” over and over, while sitting next to him, disregarding the impertinence of his neighbor from the south.
All things considered; it could have been worse. Trump didn’t call him Governor Carney, Vance didn’t accuse him of being disrespectful, and no one insulted his sartorial selection. “Never Say Never: Not Exactly Southern Hospitality!”
I’m done; holla back!
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https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/06/politics/trump-carney-canada-not-for-sale
https://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com/2025/05/never-say-never-not-exactly-southern.html
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