Trudeau rejects Trump’s idea of Canada becoming the 51st US state
Photo: Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada (Getty Images)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dismissed as impossible the suggestion by US President-elect Donald Trump that Canada could become the 51st state of the United States through economic means, according to Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.
On Tuesday, January 7, Trudeau emphasized that there isn’t a "snowball’s chance in hell" that Canada would become part of the United States.
"Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other’s biggest trading and security partner," the Canadian Prime Minister wrote in his post.
Trudeau rejected Trump's idea of Canada joining the United States (photo: screenshot x.com/JustinTrudeau)
Trump's idea of Canada joining the US
Trudeau’s remarks came in response to Trump’s recent comments suggesting he could use "economic force" to make Canada the 51st state of the US. During a follow-up question from reporters, Trump clarified that he did not intend to use military force for the hypothetical annexation of Canada.
During his Christmas address, Trump also highlighted the "advantages" of potentially joining Canada into the US. He claimed it would lead to significant tax reductions for Canadians.
In his remarks, Trump referred to Trudeau as a "governor."
"But if Canada was to become our 51st State, their Taxes would be cut by more than 60%, their businesses would immediately double in size, and they would be militarily protected like no other Country anywhere in the World," Trump said.
Previously, Trump had also told reporters that the US-Canada border is an "artificially drawn line."
Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports. Canada currently sends 75% of its exported goods and services to the US.
Trump’s other territorial ambitions
In addition to his idea about Canada, Trump has made a series of statements on other territorial matters. These include a threat to demand Panama return control of the Panama Canal to the US. He has also expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
Notably, US media discovered the reasons behind Trump’s statements about Canada, as well as Greenland and the Panama Canal.
On December 23, in response to Trump’s comments, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino stated that the Panama Canal belongs to Panama. He firmly rejected any possibility of territorial concessions.
Additionally, on January 7, it was reported that Denmark changed its coat of arms amid Trump’s interest in Greenland.
Earlier, it was also reported that Trudeau announced his resignation as Canada’s Prime Minister.
