Canada is not happy.
Canadian official Dominic LeBlanc recently criticized President-elect Donald Trump’s comments about making Canada the “51st state,” calling the idea outdated and no longer amusing. LeBlanc, who serves as Canada’s finance and intergovernmental affairs minister, dismissed Trump’s remarks as a tactic to stir up confusion and create unnecessary chaos. “The joke is over,” LeBlanc declared, adding that it’s clear the concept of a U.S.-Canada merger will never come to fruition. He further criticized Trump’s statements as “counterproductive” and harmful to the relationship between the two nations.
Trump has suggested in recent months that Canada should join the U.S. as a state, even going as far as to say he would use “economic force” to make it happen. He argued that a merger would be beneficial for national security and would eliminate the “artificially drawn line” between the two countries. During a press conference, Trump expressed frustration with the trade deficit between the U.S. and Canada, claiming that the U.S. spends “hundreds of billions” of dollars to protect Canada while facing economic imbalance.
This notion of Canadian annexation has sparked strong opposition in Canada. Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Canadian Conservative Party, was quick to respond, stating, “Canada will never be the 51st state of the U.S.” His firm stance reflects the broader sentiment in Canada, where such proposals are seen as both impractical and disrespectful of the nation’s sovereignty.
Trump’s comments come amidst his broader interest in territorial expansion, which also includes recent discussions about acquiring Greenland and even exploring options around the Panama Canal. His son, Donald Trump Jr., visited Greenland earlier this week, further fueling speculation about the president-elect’s ambitions to extend U.S. influence beyond North America. While Trump’s bold ideas continue to make headlines, they have sparked both laughter and backlash from critics who see them as unrealistic and divisive.