President-elect Trump reiterated his idea that Canada could become the 51st state of the United States. This statement came shortly after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his upcoming resignation.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his belief that many Canadians would welcome the idea of joining the U.S. as the 51st state. He highlighted the trade deficits and subsidies that the U.S. provides to Canada, suggesting that this arrangement is no longer sustainable.
Trump envisioned a scenario where Canada becoming a U.S. state would eliminate tariffs, lower taxes, and enhance security by warding off potential threats from Russian and Chinese ships. He painted a picture of a stronger and more secure nation if the two countries were united in this way.
Sources told Fox News in December that Trump brought up the merger idea to Trudeau in person when the pair met at Mar-a-Lago in late November.Â
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with media outside Rideau Cottage on Monday, Jan. 6, in Ottawa. (AP/Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
“I intend to resign as party leader, as Prime Minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide competitive process,” Trudeau said in a Monday morning address. “Last night, I asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin that process. This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”Â
Trudeau, who has led Canada for nearly a decade, has been grappling for months with significant drops in his approval ratings over mounting frustration relating to issues like the soaring cost of living and rising inflation. Â
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump delivers remarks during a campaign rally at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on Oct. 15, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Canada. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
The long-time prime minister saw an increase in calls for his resignation — from at least seven Liberal Members of Parliament as well as opposition party leaders — following the abrupt departure of his finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, who wrote a scathing letter of resignation mentioning Trudeau’s handling of certain economic policies as well as the threats levied by Trump.Â
Fox News’ Michael Dorgan, Caitlin McFall and Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.Â
