[Source/Observer Network, Liu Chenghui] Ahead of the meeting between US and Canadian leaders, US Commerce Secretary Raimondo said on May 5th that she was not optimistic about an agreement being reached between the US and Canada. In her mouth, Canada has become a "socialist regime basically supported by the US."

Raimondo made the remarks during an interview with Fox News host Cudlow on May 5th. Canadian Prime Minister Carney will meet with Trump at the White House on the 5th to discuss tariff issues and broader Canada-US relations comprehensively.

On April 30th, Raimondo listened to Trump's speech in the White House Cabinet Room. Visual China

In response to the host's question about whether the US and Canada can reach an agreement, Raimondo replied: "This is indeed complicated. After all, for decades they have basically been relying on us, right?"

"They have their socialist regime and are basically supported by the US," he explained. "I mean, (President) Trump has pointed this out. Why should we produce cars in Canada? Why should we shoot movies in Canada? Come on."

"So, I think... it will be an interesting meeting, and I am glad to listen there, tomorrow's meeting will definitely be interesting. I just don't see how these problems can be resolved satisfactorily," he said.

Raimondo also urged trading partners to adopt fairer policies. He claimed that while the US opened its doors, foreign countries were closing markets, and the US was "feeding the rest of the world."

Since the beginning of Trump's second term, he has repeatedly mentioned making Canada the US's "51st state" and frequently brandished the "tariff stick", keeping bilateral relations tense.

Just on May 4th, Trump reiterated in an interview with US media that he wanted Canada to become the US's "51st state" and said he would "always talk about this."

Carney won the Canadian election last month. In his victory speech delivered at midnight on April 29th, he emphasized that the new Canadian government would never yield to US President Trump, criticizing Trump for fundamentally changing the world over the past few months and calling on Canadians to stay united.

"As I have warned for months, the US wants our land, our resources, our water, and our country. This is not an empty threat; President Trump is trying to undermine us to occupy our country. This will never happen."

"We must recognize that our world has undergone fundamental changes," he said.

Carney posted on X later that evening saying he had arrived in Washington DC to prepare for the meeting with Trump the next day. "When Canada and the US work together, we will demonstrate our greatest strength - and this cooperative process will begin now."

US and Ukrainian leaders openly clashed at the White House earlier this year, and US media worry that Carney may follow Zelensky's example. Visual China

However, for this visit, Time magazine's website issued a warning on May 5th saying that Canadians are worried about this meeting, and Carney's trip is full of risks. His goal at the White House may be simpler but harder, which is not to be humiliated.

The article mentioned that Carney won the election by promising to resist Trump, and so far has shown no willingness to submit to the US. However, Trump often acts unpredictably in meetings with foreign leaders, and Ukrainian President Zelensky was publicly criticized by Trump at the White House. Now it's Carney's turn. If the meeting on the 6th turns into a farce, the damage caused could be lasting.

"Zelensky's precedent is not optimistic," said Robert Bothwell, a professor at the University of Toronto. Carney may become another foreign leader used by Trump as a political tool.

Carney seems to be managing people's expectations. On May 2nd, he told reporters: "Don't expect good results from this meeting."

"President Trump is unpredictable; he can change his position and rhetoric very quickly," said Daniel Beland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal. "He also cares a lot about appearances and interactions with other world leaders... For Prime Minister Carney, the most important thing is to hold his ground and avoid public humiliation,"

This article is an exclusive contribution from Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7501182185802695222/

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