COQUITLAM — Liberal Leader Mark Carney is confirming that U.S. President Donald Trump talked again about Canada becoming the a U.S. state during their first bilateral call on March 28. Carney came under attack from the other main party leaders Thursday after a CBC/Radio-Canada article, citing confidential sources, said Trump pitched Carney during the call on the benefits of Canada joining the U.S. When Carney spoke to reporters in Montreal on the day the call took place, he described the discussion as "cordial" and said Trump treated Canada with respect as a sovereign nation.

Pressed by reporters Thursday, the Liberal leader admitted that Trump did bring up annexation during the call, adding that he made clear to Trump that would never happen. Trump toned down his rhetoric toward Canada that day after months of needling then-prime minister Justin Trudeau by calling him the "governor" of America's soon-to-be 51st state. On Wednesday, Trump's shadow again loomed over the federal election when he said in the Oval Office that he doesn't want Canada to play a part in the American auto industry and warned that auto tariffs against Canada could go up.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2025. — Written by Kyle Duggan in Ottawa and Anja Karadeglija in Coquitlam Canadian Press Staff, The Canadian Press