Pre-Meeting Tensions
Before their first official meeting, President Donald Trump blasted Canada on Truth Social. “Why is America subsidizing Canada by $200 Billion Dollars a year…?” he wrote, adding, “We don’t need ANYTHING they have, other than their friendship.”
Carney Fires Back
Canadian PM Mark Carney had previously warned his supporters, “President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us — that will never, ever happen.”
Awkward Body Language
Body language expert Beth Dawson analyzed the leaders’ interaction outside the White House. “Carney approaches with head slightly inclined and touches Trump’s elbow — a mix of assertiveness and caution,” she said. Trump, meanwhile, “raises his right shoulder — a classic dominance signal,” and later “raises his fist in a defiant gesture.”
Subtle Power Struggle
Dawson added that Carney maintained eye contact but showed subtle signs of unease, like clasping his hands and seeking cues from Trump. Inside the Oval Office, Trump praised Carney’s campaign and again floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state. Carney replied: “Some places are never for sale.”
Conclusion
Their body language said it all — cooperation masked by control.
