MNI BRIEF: Carney Turns Border Complaint On Trump Over Guns

Liberal Party Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday turned around Donald Trump's argument about lax border security by pointing to a flow of illegal guns entering Canada, seeking to close out a win in Monday's election where negotiating free trade with the President has become a top issue. 

“Misguided American polices backed by President Trump are not only threatening our economy, they are also threatening the safety of our communities," Carney told reporters. "Criminals are taking advantage of irresponsible American gun laws, and their weak border enforcement, to bring illegal guns into Canada.” (See: MNI: Canada Will Struggle To Wean Off U.S. Trade Dependence)

Carney also downplayed a Radio-Canada report that Trump had raised the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state on their call in March. At the time Carney gave the impression he had won respect for Canada’s sovereignty from Trump as a precondition for trade talks after the election.