Trump Suggests Canada as the 51st State During Talks with Trudeau on Tariffs
Donald Trump reportedly joked that “maybe Canada should become the 51st state” during a conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago last week, according to unnamed sources cited by Fox News. The comment came as Trudeau expressed concerns that Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian imports could devastate Canada’s economy.
Tariff Threats Amid Trade Relations
The U.S. accounts for approximately 75% of Canada’s exports, with trade between the two nations governed by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), signed during Trump’s first term. The former president has threatened new tariffs on Canada and Mexico, demanding stricter measures to reduce migrant flows and illegal drugs entering the U.S.
When Trudeau argued that such tariffs would severely harm the Canadian economy, Trump reportedly quipped that if Canada couldn’t survive without what he described as unfair trade practices, “then maybe Canada should become the 51st state” with Trudeau as its governor.
Productive Talks Despite Jokes
Despite the contentious topic, both leaders framed the talks positively. Trump called the meeting “very productive,” stating they discussed key issues such as fentanyl, immigration, and trade. Trudeau echoed the sentiment, describing the conversation as “excellent” and tweeting: “Thanks for dinner last night, President Trump. I look forward to the work we can do together, again.”
High-Profile Attendees
The Mar-a-Lago meeting drew notable figures, including U.S. Senator-elect Dave McCormick, Howard Lutnick (Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary), North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum (picked for Interior Secretary), and Congressman Mike Waltz (selected as national security adviser). On the Canadian side, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Trudeau’s chief of staff, Katie Telford, were present.
Broader Implications
Trump’s comment about Canada becoming a U.S. state, while likely made in jest, underscores the tensions in U.S.-Canada trade relations and the high stakes of tariff negotiations. The two leaders’ willingness to meet early in Trump’s second tenure signals a mutual interest in maintaining the strong, albeit occasionally fraught, relationship between the neighboring nations.
