OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney’s second White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump began Tuesday with warm words and laughter, as the American leader raised his desire for the “merger” of Canada and the United States and expressed optimism that the “natural business conflict” between the countries will end with the Canadian side “very happy.”

Trump also praised Carney as a “good man” and a “tough negotiator” who could be “very nasty” in talks.

“I deal with lots of leaders all over the world … He’s a world-class leader. He’s a man that knows what he wants, and I’m not surprised that he won the election,” Trump said.

Asked why they can’t land a deal to end the ongoing trade war, Trump responded, “I want to be a great man, too.”

The lengthy appearance before cameras in the

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