What will Canada do now?
President Donald Trump has once again raised the prospect of Canada becoming the 51st state, calling it a “serious contender” and underscoring the need for stronger protection from the United States. The 78-year-old former president has long entertained this idea, even playfully referring to outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “Governor” during past discussions.
Trump’s comments came during the signing of a memorandum aimed at imposing reciprocal tariffs on various countries. He pointed out that Canada, with its proximity to increasingly aggressive foreign threats, especially from Russia and China, could greatly benefit from the robust military protection the U.S. offers.
“If Canada were part of the United States,” Trump argued, “the people would pay far fewer taxes and receive unmatched military protection.” With Russian and Chinese naval activity increasing near the North American coast, Trump emphasized the risks Canada faces without the U.S. military as a shield. “This is a different world today,” he said, stressing the urgent need for security in a rapidly changing global environment.
Earlier this year, Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian exports but chose to delay these tariffs after Trudeau agreed to enhance security at the Canadian border to combat illegal drug trafficking and migration. Still, Trump remained critical of the trade relationship between the two nations. He questioned why the U.S. was paying billions in subsidies to Canada when it isn’t even a state, suggesting that such financial support would be more appropriate for a U.S. state rather than a foreign country.
With Canada’s ongoing trade imbalances with the U.S. and growing security concerns, Trump’s remarks have only fueled speculation about Canada’s potential statehood. His bold stance on this issue is unlikely to go unnoticed in both American and Canadian politics, with many seeing it as an indication of the president’s ongoing vision for a stronger, more unified North America.