Donald Trump has doubled down on his vision of Canada becoming the 51st state of the U.S., claiming it would be “one of the greatest states anywhere.” Speaking during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump argued that the U.S. already “spends $200 billion a year to subsidize” Canada, suggesting the country would function better under American control. He even offered an incentive, saying Canadians could keep their national anthem, O Canada, if they agreed to join.
The comments come amid escalating trade tensions between the two nations. Trump recently imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, prompting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to retaliate with counter-tariffs on American goods. Ontario Premier Doug Ford also threatened to hike electricity prices for 1.5 million Americans in response. Trump, however, dismissed these moves, saying, “They need us, we really don’t need them.”
Trump has repeatedly teased the idea of Canada joining the U.S., even referring to Trudeau as the “Governor of Canada” instead of Prime Minister. While his remarks have been met with amusement by some, others see them as an intentional power play amid the ongoing trade war. Trump also hinted at acquiring Greenland, stating it would be beneficial for “international security.”
If such a merger ever happened, Canada would become the largest U.S. state by population, surpassing California and gaining significant political influence. While the idea remains purely speculative, Trump’s comments reflect his aggressive stance on reshaping North America’s geopolitical landscape.
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