When the newly appointed Canadian prime minister arrived at the Oval Office on Tuesday morning, he might have expected a tense encounter. Instead, he was met with an unexpectedly cordial atmosphere.
President Trump opened the meeting by expressing a personal fondness for Canada. "Canada holds a special place in my heart," he said. "I know many people who live there, and my family, especially my mother, had relatives in Canada."
This tone was notably different from the months of harsh rhetoric during which the president had suggested aggressive policies toward Canada, including the idea of making it the United States’ 51st state.
"I truly love Canada," the president added, highlighting a softer approach.
Interestingly, just moments before the meeting, the president had posted a critical message on his social media platform, labeling Canadians as overly dependent on the United States. This post coincided with the Canadian prime minister’s arrival at the White House.
Despite the contrasting public message, the two leaders were seated side by side, signaling a moment of diplomatic warmth.
"Canada loves us, and we love Canada," the president concluded during their discussion.
