Donald Trump's three-word threat to Canada as Mark Carney says country 'not for sale'

Donald Trump issued a three-word threat to Canada after the country's Prime Minister Mark Carney declared

The Republican leader welcomed newly elected Liberal Prime Minister Carney to and praised him on his party's stunning election win against earlier odds. But beyond the exchanged pleasantries in the Oval Office the two leaders remain locked into an unprecedented trade war sparked over . Shortly before Mr Carney arrived in Washington D.C., continued with his administration's aggressive stance against foreign leaders to the US capital, stating the country did not need "anything" from its northern neighbour.

"I very much want to work with him, but cannot understand one simple TRUTH - Why is America subsidising Canada by 200 Billion Dollars a year, in addition to giving them FREE Military Protection, and many other things?" Mr Trump said on his social media platform TruthSocial. "We don't need their Cars, we don't need their Energy, we don't need their Lumber, we don't need ANYTHING they have, other than their friendship, which hopefully we will always maintain."

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Mr Trump's claim runs against economic data that states the US is dependent on oil production in Canada, as well as for an array of other goods that help make the lives of Americans more affordable. But his stance is a continuation of talking down Canada and openly talking about its annexation into the Union.

Mr Carney made his American counterpart's threatening comments and tariffs central to his winning campaign. The Liberal Prime Minister, who previously served as the governor of the Bank of England, hit out at Mr Trump's previous statements that Canada should become the "51st state," rebuking him and said: "Canada is not for sale."

"There are some places that are never for sale," Mr Carney said. "We’re sitting in one right now...and having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign last several months, it's not for sale."

But Mr Trump could not let the comment slide, adding: "Time will tell. Never say never. It would really be a wonderful marriage because it’s two places that get along very well."

The Republican firebrand has made several statements about annexing parts of the . He has previously threatened to annex or invade the Danish territory of Greenland, the Panama Canal and the Gaza Strip.

His comments has sent shockwaves through the post-World War II alliance system with his threats of annexation against allies. Mr Trump previously told an interview with NBC's Meet the Press that aired on Sunday that the border between Canada and the US was an "artificial line" that prevents the two territories from forming one "beautiful country."

Trump, a former real estate developer, offered during the meeting with Carney to help former President build his presidential library. Obama left office in 2009. His library is under construction in Chicago. Trump said it’s taking too long and that, in and of itself, is “bad for the presidency.”

“If he wanted help, I’d give him help,” Trump said of Obama. “I’m a really good builder.”

Trump also criticised California Govenor Gavin Newsom over a project to connect Los Angeles and San Francisco by rail, calling it “the worst cost overrun I’ve ever seen.”

As Trump went on a long aside about former President Barack Obama’s presidential library and California water issues before veering back to trade, Carney kept trying to get a word in, raising his hand about half a dozen times to try to interject. Trump kept talking as reporters fired questions, holding forth with extended answers.

When the Canadian leader finally got to speak, he addressed Trump’s repeated needling about making Canada a 51st U.S. state and said, “Respectfully, Canadians’ view on this is not going to change.”