Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has rejected incoming U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest suggestion that Canada should become part of the United States.
“There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,” Trudeau said on social media platform X on Jan. 7. “Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other’s biggest trading and security partner.”
During a press conference earlier in the day, Trump said he may use “economic force” as a strategy to merge Canada with the United States. The incoming U.S. president also said getting rid of the “artificially drawn” border between the two countries would “really be something.”
“It would also be much better for national security. Don’t forget, we basically protect Canada,” he added.
While the U.S. spends $874 billion per year on its military, Canada spends $36.7 billion, which Trump called a “very small” amount.
Trump said during the press conference he would be imposing “substantial” tariffs on Canada and Mexico when he takes office later this month. Trump has previously threatened to put 25 percent tariffs on both countries if they do not adequately secure their borders to stop the flow of illegal drugs and immigration.
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The incoming president was also asked about comments made by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who previously said Canada would “never be” the 51st U.S. state. Trump responded by saying “maybe [Poilievre] won’t win, but maybe he will,“ referring to Canada’s next federal election. ”Listen, I don’t care what he says,” Trump added.
Poilievre responded to Trump’s latest comments in a statement on social media on Jan. 7, saying Canada “will never be the 51st state. Period.”
Poilievre said Canada was the “best friend” of the United States and had been allies during the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent War on Terror. He said Canada supplies the U.S. with “billions of dollars of high-quality and totally reliable energy” and that Canada buys “hundreds of billions of dollars of American goods.”
“Our weak and pathetic NDP-Liberal government has failed to make these obvious points,” he added. “I will fight for Canada.”
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also addressed Trump’s comments, saying on social media that “No Canadian wants to join” the United States.
“We are proud Canadians. Proud of the way we take care of each other and defend our nation. Your attacks will hurt jobs on both sides of the border. You come for Canadians’ jobs, Americans will pay a price,” he said, addressing Trump.
The Liberal government has attempted to increase border security since Trump first made the tariff threat, including by introducing a $1.3 billion border plan to targeting organized crime and synthetic drug trafficking.
Trudeau announced on Jan. 6 that he would resign as prime minister once the Liberal Party has chosen a replacement, and met with Gov. Gen. Mary Simon to ask for her to prorogue Parliament until March 24. The same day, Trump said on Truth Social that Trudeau resigned because he knew the U.S. could “no longer suffer the massive trade deficits and subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat.”
