Liberal Leader Mark Carney confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump referenced Canada as the “51st state” during the two leaders’ phone call in March, but doubled down on his previous statement that Trump respected Canada’s sovereignty during the call.
An April 24 report from CBC News based on anonymous sources said that Trump had mentioned making Canada the 51st U.S. state during the March 28 phone call with the Canadian prime minister. In the days before the call took place, Carney said he wouldn’t hold discussions with Trump unless he respected Canada’s sovereignty.
When asked by reporters following the call if Trump had respected Canada’s sovereignty, Carney said: “The president respected Canada’s sovereignty today, both in his private and public comments.”…