Hours after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation, US President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his proposal to make Canada the 51st state of the United States. Trudeau, 53, revealed on Monday that he would step down after facing mounting pressure from his ruling Liberal Party due to declining popularity. He stated he would remain in office until a new party leader is chosen.
Trump, who shared a tense relationship with Trudeau during his first term as US President from 2017 to 2021, has been vocal about the idea of “merging” Canada into the United States. Following his electoral victory on November 5, Trump reportedly discussed this concept during a meeting with Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago and has since referenced it multiple times on social media.
Trump expressed on X (formerly Twitter) that the United States could no longer endure the significant trade deficits and subsidies that Canada relies on, to sustain its economy. He claimed that Trudeau understood this and stepped down as a result. Trump suggested that merging Canada with US would eliminate tariffs, reduce taxes significantly, and ensure complete security against the constant presence of Russian and Chinese ships. He concluded by envisioning the two nations united as a powerful entity.
The Canadian side has remained largely silent on Trump’s proposal. However, Trump has warned of imposing a 25% tariff on Canadian imports if Toronto fails to curb the influx of illicit drugs and illegal migrants crossing its southern border into the US.
In several posts, Trump has also ridiculed Trudeau, referring to him as the ‘Governor of the Great State of Canada.’