Trudeau Responds to Trump's Repeated Threat to Annex Canada
Trudeau has responded to Trump's renewed threats to annex Canada, expressing concern over US intentions and highlighting Canada's valuable resources. Recent polls show widespread opposition among Canadians to the annexation idea.
Justin Trudeau has expressed that he does not take Donald Trump's threat to annex Canada lightly, after the US President reiterated his desire to make Canada America's 51st state.
As Mr Trump prepared to impose steep tariffs on Canadian goods, he stated, “What I’d like to see - Canada become our 51st state. I’d love to see that, but some people say that would be a long shot.”
In his first response to Mr Trump's comments, Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January, spoke at an economic summit in Toronto. He noted that the Trump administration is well aware of Canada’s critical mineral resources, suggesting this knowledge might be behind Mr Trump's remarks about absorbing Canada.
Canada is rich in 31 essential minerals used in modern technologies such as mobile phones and electric car batteries, and Mr Trudeau remarked, "They very much want to benefit from those." However, he asserted that Mr Trump believes absorbing Canada is an easy way to achieve that.
Mr Trump and Mr Trudeau agreed to a 30-day reprieve from tariffs, which included a 25 per cent levy on all Canadian imports except for energy resources, which would face a 10 per cent tariff.
In retaliation, Canada announced counter-tariffs targeting $171 billion worth of American goods, with the first round valued at $33 billion including items like cosmetics, tools, and dairy.
To strengthen border security against fentanyl trafficking, Trudeau pledged to enhance measures amidst the tariff crisis.
Despite Mr Trump's comments downplaying Canada’s importance as a trade partner, he stated, “As a state, it’s different. And there are no tariffs.” He emphasised his desire for Canada to become a state, though it was initially perceived as a joke.
In the past, Trump's comments were dismissed as humour, but experts now worry that his recent declarations indicate serious intentions. Political science professor Daniel Beland described Trump's approach as unprecedented and damaging to Canada-US relations, undermining trust between the nations.
British Columbia's Premier David Eby accused Mr Trump of attempting to destroy Canada’s economy, while Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre firmly stated, “Canada will never be the 51st state of the US.”
A recent poll revealed that 82 per cent of Canadians oppose the idea of annexation. Furthermore, political experts suggest that if Trump were to annex Canada, it could hinder his support base, as Canada would likely lean Democratic.
Mount Royal University's Professor Duane Bratt questioned at what point Trump's banter transitions from joke to genuine intent, reflecting rising concerns in Canadian politics.
