Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, was overheard expressing concerns about the possibility of Donald Trump trying to incorporate Canada as the 51st state of the United States.
During a conversation with business leaders, Trudeau was inadvertently recorded discussing the genuine threat of American attempts to annex his country.
The US Commander-in-chief had previously laid out his takeover intentions for his northern neighbour when entering his historic second term.
Trump justified his annexation and tariff proposals on Canada by pointing to issues such as immigration increases and the failure to address the fentanyl crisis.
Trudeau however suggested that Trump rather had his eyes on Canada’s resources, during the hot mic blunder, according to CBC.
The Prime Minister reportedly said: “I suggest that not only does the Trump administration know how many critical minerals we have, but that may be even why they keep talking about absorbing us and making us the 51st state.
“They’re very aware of our resources, of what we have, and they very much want to be able to benefit from those.
“But Mr. Trump has it in mind that one of the easiest ways of doing that is absorbing our country. And it is a real thing.”
Trudeau’s shock remarks were caught when a private meeting with business and labor leaders was mistakenly heard over the loudspeaker.
The blunder only ended when the Canadian realised his error and told staff to switch off the loudspeaker.
One of these business bosses, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour Gil McGowan, appeared to confirm the Prime Minister’s shock statement.
McGowan wrote on X: “Yes, I can confirm that Trudeau said his assessment is that what Trump really wants is not action on fentanyl or immigration or even the trade deficit — what he really wants is to either dominate Canada or take it outright.
“Tariffs are a tactic towards that end.”
Trudeau’s aversion to Trump’s shock plans has been no secret.
On Friday, the Canadian Prime Minister said his country must think “tactically and strategically” on how it would deal with Trump’s threats.
He said: “This is a moment. This is a time in our country’s history that really matters.”
The US President had threatened to unleash sweeping 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods coming into the US.
Trump dramatically stopped his trade war just hours before it was scheduled to be implemented.
Canada’s and Mexico’s leaders held desperate last-minute calls with Trump to negotiate a month-long pause on these taxes.
Don praised his own negotiating skills by posting on Truth Social after his last call with Trudeau.
Trump’s plan to ‘annex’ Canada
CANADA has long been one of America’s closest allies but Donald Trump has different plans for the world’s second biggest country.
The US president shocked the world when he first floated the idea of making Canada’s the country’s 51st state.
Trump recently suggested Canada would be better off it agreed to be part of the US.
Don unleashed a shock threat of 25 per cent tariffs on his northern neighbor just days into his second term.
Following a desperate last minute call with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump agreed to pause the tax for 30 days.
The US President said the economic hit was in retaliation for a migrant crisis and the apparent flow of drugs from Canada into the US.
Trump had suggested using “economic force” to take Canada even before his inauguration.
“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,” he said on January 7.
Tariffs would make Canadian goods more expensive in the US, which could force American shoppers away from these goods.
This could be detrimental to Canada as America is the country it exports most of its goods to.
He wrote: “As President, it is my responsibility to ensure the safety of ALL Americans, and I am doing just that.
“I am very pleased with this initial outcome.”
He also revealed Canada would implement a $1.3 billion plan, it announced in December, that will reinforce the border with new helicopters, technology, and personnel.
Trump said that the next 30 days will determine if he goes ahead with the tariffs or if a “final economic deal with Canada can be structured.”
Trudeau later confirmed these changes in line with Trump’s wishes.
