January 8, 2025
2 mins read

Canada 51st State? Trump Stirs Controversy

Trump reiterated his plan to impose “substantial” tariffs on goods from both Canada and Mexico….reports Asian Lite News

US President-elect Donald Trump has proposed the idea of using “economic force” to merge Canada and the United States, creating what he frequently describes as the “51st state.”

He cited reasons such as military assistance provided by the US and trade deficits between the two nations to support his suggestion.

Addressing a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on Tuesday, Trump said, “You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like, and it would also be much better for national security.”

“Canada and the United States, that would really be something. We’ve been good neighbours, but we can’t do it forever,” he added.

Emphasising the financial burden on the US, Trump said, “Don’t forget, we basically protect Canada. But here’s the problem with Canada. So many friends up there; I love the Canadian people. They’re great, but we’re spending hundreds of billions a year to protect it. We’re spending hundreds of billions a year to take care of Canada. We lose in trade deficits.”

Trump reiterated his plan to impose “substantial” tariffs on goods from both Canada and Mexico.

“Canada is subsidised to the tune of about $200 billion a year, plus other things. And they don’t essentially have a military. They have a very small military. They rely on our military. It’s all fine, but you know they gotta pay for that,” he added.

In a social media post on Truth Social, Trump shared an edited image of Canada as part of the US, captioning it, “Oh Canada.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dismissed the suggestion, responding firmly, “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 partners.”

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly also criticised Trump’s remarks, accusing him of a “lack of understanding” about Canada. She stated that Canada would “never back down” from such threats.

Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of a US-Canada “merger” since his presidential election victory in November. He has often referred to Trudeau as the “Governor” of the “Great State of Canada” in a mocking tone.

Previously, Trump threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods unless Canada took significant steps to bolster border security and curb the influx of drugs and illegal immigrants into the US.

ALSO READ: Greenland, Panama in Trump’s Crosshairs

Previous Story

Far-Right Icon Le Pen Passes Away

Next Story

India, EU Discuss Human Rights in Delhi

Latest from -Top News

UNSC Convenes Over India-Pak Crisis

Pakistan is currently an elected member of the Council and will participate in the meeting….reports Asian Lite News The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will be holding a closed-door meeting on Monday

Trump Declares Trade War on Foreign Films

He accused other countries of offering all sorts of incentives and drawing filmmakers and studios away from the US….reports Asian Lite News US President Donald Trump on Monday (Indian time) announced a

SYRIA RAIDS: Arab League Slams Israel

The Arab League condemned the airstrikes and called on the international community and the United Nations to confront what it described as “repeated violations committed by Israel against the Syrian state.” The

Singapore’s Ruling Party Achieves Landslide Victory

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, whose party won the election, thanked supporters.,..reports Asian Lite News Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) won 87 of the 97 seats in Parliament in Saturday’s general election,

Jaishankar, Lavrov Discuss Pahalgam Terror Attack

Both the Ministers discussed issues of Russian-Indian cooperation and the aggravation of India-Pakistan relations following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar spoke to the Russian Foreign Minister
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Trump says he will keep Musk in cabinet if elected as President

Ryan asked Trump if keeping Musk in the cabinet would

Trump calls rape claim against him ‘ridiculous’

Trump has denied ever knowing Carroll, saying once that “she’s