Trudeau calls threat of Canada's annexation real - CNN
Photo: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (flickr.com eda_dfae)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that US President Donald Trump's threat to annex Canada is a real risk, CNN reports.
Trudeau's comments were made on an open microphone when he believed members of the media had been escorted out. However, the media obtained an audio recording capturing his statement during the Canada-US Economic Summit in Toronto.
"Mr. Trump has it in mind that the easiest way to do it is absorbing our country and it is a real thing. In my conversations with him on…," Trudeau said, according to the recording.
Trudeau made these remarks after concluding his own opening speech and after journalists had left the room.
In an interview with CNN before Trump's inauguration, Trudeau said that Trump's comments about turning Canada into the 51st US state were merely a distraction from the consequences of his tariff threats.
Last week, Trump followed through on his threats by announcing new tariffs against Canada. But after Trudeau committed to strengthening security at the Canadian border, Trump announced on Monday that the tariffs would be suspended for at least a month.
Trump's idea of Canada joining the US
Recently, Trump stated that he could use "economic power" to make Canada the 51st state of the US When asked for clarification by journalists, Trump noted that he does not consider the use of military force for the hypothetical annexation of Canada to the US.
In response, Trudeau called Trump's assumption unrealistic, saying that economic leverage could not turn Canada into a new US state.
We also reported that yesterday the Prime Minister of Canada announced his resignation from the head of government.
