U.S. President Donald Trump predicted that Canadians will return to visit the United States after a trade agreement is reached between the two countries.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office during his meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday that he understands why many Canadians are currently refraining from traveling to the U.S.

Trump’s repeated remarks about making Canada the “51st U.S. state” to avoid tariffs had angered Canadians, who began canceling their trips to the U.S. in large numbers. According to the Canadian National Statistics Office, the number of Canadian visits to the U.S. dropped by 23% during the first seven months of the year compared to the same period in 2024.

Trump said, “I understand that, believe me, I understand well,” adding that he is confident Washington and Ottawa will eventually reach an agreement.

He added, “It will be resolved eventually, there is still a great love between the two countries, but the American people want products here, want them made here. We are competing for the same business, and that is the problem, which is why I keep pointing to a very easy way to solve it.”

Trump had repeated that Canada could avoid tariffs if it became the 51st U.S. state, statements many Canadians found offensive, leading to traveler backlash.

Trump said, “The people of Canada will love us again, and most of them still do. Even if I say only 25%, I think many of them love us.”

Carney responded to Trump by saying, “It’s not bad, they will come back.”