Ford praises Carney's first meeting with Trump: 'He held his own'

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Prime Minister Mark Carney did "really well" in his first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday. 

"It was very productive. He held his own," he said, speaking at Queen's Park on Tuesday afternoon. 

Ford said it's "very obvious" Trump likes Carney "a lot more" than former prime minister Justin Trudeau. 

"It's all about building a relationship. I think this is a first step to something productive," the premier said. 

Trump warmly welcomed Carney to the Oval Office Tuesday, saying the two would discuss some "tough points" during their meeting. He called Carney "a very talented, very good person." 

WATCH | Trump and Carney meet in Oval Office: 

Trump says he still believes Canada should be 51st state — but adds ‘it takes two to tango’

1 day ago

Duration 2:19

U.S President Donald Trump, sitting next to Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House on Tuesday, returned to his notion of Canada as the 51st state after a question from a reporter, calling the border artificial and saying it would ‘really be a wonderful marriage.’ Carney dismissed the idea, again, saying Canada will never — ever — be for sale.

Carney, for his part, called Trump a "transformational" president, and said he wants to find ways to work together.

Ford did not have criticisms for Carney's approach, saying Tuesday, "You sure can't go the other way. It's not going to work out too well for you." 

"I thought they both were respectful to each other … It was a warm greeting and I'm very confident that it's a good start to a long relationship." 

While the Oval Office meeting began on friendly ground, the president drifted into denigrating the Canadian economy with his threats to somehow do away with the country's auto industry. Trump also said he doesn't need "anything" from Canada. 

Ford responded on Tuesday, "I guess [Trump] doesn't want the potash that keeps his farmers going, or the uranium to keep his nuclear energy facilities going, or high-grade nickel that keeps the military and aerospace and manufacturing going."

Premier criticized Trump's comments earlier Tuesday 

Ford spoke about Trump earlier Tuesday at the Skills Ontario competition in Etobicoke, saying, "This guy drives me nuts." 

"You see this guy on TV [saying], 'We don't need Canada.' Really?" Ford said. 

WATCH | Ford criticized Trump earlier Tuesday ahead of Carney-Trump meeting: 

'This guy drives me nuts': Ford has harsh words for Trump ahead of Canada-U.S. meeting

1 day ago

Duration 1:51

Doug Ford went off-script during an unrelated announcement on Tuesday, criticizing Donald Trump for creating economic uncertainty on both sides of the border. This comes ahead of Mark Carney's meeting with the president, as Canada tries to get more clarity on tariffs.

He went on to say the U.S. relies on Canadian electricity, potash, uranium and high-grade nickel. 

The premier said Carney was "going to give it everything he can" during his visit to the White House. 

Ford referred to Trump's polling numbers, which he also did speaking at Queen's Park on Monday. 

"I can't wait for the midterms," he said.