President Donald Trump has said many times that he wants to see the United States annex Canada as the country’s “51st state.”
Many political experts and lawmakers think Trump’s comments were made in jest. However, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom the president calls “Governor Trudeau,” believes the push is real, the Associated Press reported.
Trudeau reportedly informed Canadian business and labor leaders in private that Trump’s plan to annex his country’s northern neighbor is a “real thing.”
“Mr. Trump has it in mind that the easiest way to do it is absorbing our country and it is a real thing. In my conversations with him on …” Trudeau was caught saying on a hot mic before the audio cut out, according to a report from CBC.
The press was asked to leave the room before the meeting began behind closed doors, but reporters from CBC and the Toronto Star were able to listen in and record it.
“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,” Trudeau went on to say, according to reporters who heard the conversation. “They’re very aware of our resources, of what we have, and they very much want to be able to benefit from those.”
Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labor, confirmed what the Canadian prime minister told business leaders in an X post.
“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,” McGowan wrote. “Tariffs are a tactic towards that end.”
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Trump has also talked about the idea of buying Greenland from Denmark. He first brought up the idea when he met with Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago in November.
As recently as last week, the U.S. president called Canada the future “51st state” after he decided to put 25% tariffs on Canadian goods coming into the U.S. if Trudeau’s government didn’t take steps to stop the flow of illegal drugs and immigrants across the border.
“We pay hundreds of Billions of Dollars to SUBSIDIZE Canada. Why? There is no reason. We don’t need anything they have. We have unlimited Energy, should make our own Cars, and have more Lumber than we can ever use. Without this massive subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country. Harsh but true! Therefore, Canada should become our cherished 51st state. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada – AND NO TARIFFS!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“We will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, and launch a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl, and money laundering. I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl and we will be backing it with $200 million,” Trudeau wrote in an X post.
Trump agreed on Monday to hold off for 30 days on his plans to put 25% tariffs on goods coming from Mexico and Canada and another 10% tariff on oil, natural gas, and electricity from Canada.
Trump had threatened tariffs to get countries to work together more to stop illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling. He has also promised to use tariffs to boost manufacturing in the United States and bring in more money for the federal government.
Trudeau said that Canada can use the extra 30 days to show U.S. officials that the country is spending more on border security. Canada has announced a border security plan worth $1.3 billion (about $900 million). The plan includes drones, helicopters, more border guards, and the formation of a joint task force.
Trudeau also said he would name a new “fentanyl czar.” This person will be the main point of contact between the Canadian and U.S. governments, even though less than 1% of fentanyl and illegal immigration comes from Canada.
“We need to be very deliberate about how we continue to engage closely with the United States to make the case that Canada is responsible for a tiny part of the North American fentanyl problem, but that we are also bitterly touched by this tragedy,” Trudeau said.