US president-elect proposes controversial Canada-US union through 'economic force'
In response to US president-elect Donald Trump’s recent comments about merging Canada with the United States, prime minister Justin Trudeau firmly rejected the idea, declaring there “isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.”
Trump, during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort, reiterated his stance on the topic, saying that “we don’t need anything” from Canada, including goods like cars, lumber, and dairy products. He suggested that eliminating the border between the two countries would enhance national security and improve economic conditions.
Trump’s comments were not new but marked an escalation in his rhetoric. He previously hinted at this idea during a meeting with Canadian officials in November 2024. Although Canadian representatives dismissed it as a joke, Trump continued to reference it, even referring to Trudeau as “governor.”
When asked whether he was considering military action to annex Canada, Trump responded, “No — economic force,” implying that he might use trade policies, such as tariffs, to compel Canada to join the US. He further claimed that the US “subsidizes” Canada to the tune of US$200 billion in trade and defence programs like NORAD, adding that the US should not be spending billions on Canadian defence while Canada maintains a relatively small military.
In a swift and resolute response, Trudeau rejected Trump’s notion of an American-Canadian merger on social media, stating, “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.” He emphasized the mutual benefits of the long-standing trade and security partnership between the two countries, underscoring Canada’s independence and resilience in the face of threats.
Foreign affairs minister Melanie Joly also criticized Trump’s remarks, calling them indicative of a “complete lack of understanding” of Canada’s strength. She assured that Canada would not back down in the face of such threats, reaffirming the nation’s autonomy.
Meanwhile, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre echoed Trudeau’s rejection, stating that Canada will “never be the 51st state.”
Trump’s comments about Canada come at a time when US-Canada relations are already under strain. The US president-elect recently threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian goods. Trump suggested that these tariffs could address issues such as the high number of migrants and drugs flowing into the US from Canada and Mexico.
Despite these tensions, US president Joe Biden praised Trudeau’s efforts in strengthening US-Canada relations, highlighting the enduring partnership between the two countries. However, Trump’s stance has raised concerns about the future direction of the US’s foreign policy and its impact on neighbouring countries.
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