Mark Carney has been caught in yet another lie, as the state broadcaster is now reporting that US President Donald Trump did in fact mention Canada as the 51st state in their private phone call on March 28.
The Liberal leader had previously claimed that the president "respected Canada’s sovereignty" during their call.
Carney, who became the de facto prime minister after a March 9 party leadership vote, told reporters after the call that their discussion was "very constructive." Trump echoed those sentiments, calling it "extremely productive."
It has now leaked to the press, however, that Trump did broach the topic of the US absorbing Canada as its 51st state — a topic Carney insisted did not arise.
French-language national broadcaster Radio-Canada reported Thursday that two sources "with knowledge of the situation" said the president had put the idea back on the table early on in their conversation, despite contrary claims made by Carney.
The source said the exchange was "not easy,” and Carney told Trump, "We'll agree to disagree on that one."
Trump, however, continued with the subject, listing the reasons why it would be advantageous to both countries to have Canada join the US.
Carney reportedly let the president finish his arguments before "expressing his disagreement," reported Radio-Canada.
"The president respected Canada's sovereignty today both in his private and public comments," said Carney on March 28 after the call. He added the exchange was “cordial.”
Carney was asked numerous times about the exchange during a press conference in Coquitlam, BC on Thursday.
Carney claimed that while Trump did bring up annexing Canada, the president "treated us with respect as a sovereign nation." He pointed out that Trump "says lots of things."
The Liberal leader appeared to downplay Trump's remarks and drew attention to other aspects of the call.
"This is not news," he said of the president threatening to turn Canada into the 51st state. "He raises it all the time."
On March 24, Carney said he was "available for a call" with Trump, "but you know, "we're going to talk on our terms as a sovereign country.”
The Prime Minister's Office did not deny that Trump raised the issue of the 51st state, but denied that Carney responded with "We'll agree to disagree," reported the state broadcaster.
"No, the prime minister didn't say this to President Trump, and he was always clear on the fact that the possibility that Canada could be part of the US is not on the table and never will be,” said a spokesperson from the PMO.
"As we face this crisis, Prime Minister Carney is communicating his plan with Canadians everywhere to fight the trade war launched by Trump.”
Carney on the campaign trail has continuously asserted he is the man to “deal with Trump.”
"I've managed crises before," he has said multiple times, most recently on Wednesday in Victoria, B.C.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said last week Trump’s position had not changed, and Trump "believes that Canadians would benefit greatly from becoming the 51st state of the United States of America."
