On Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump reportedly doubled down on his newfound ide” of making Canada the 51st state by posting on Truth Social, suggesting that the United States could subsidize its northern neighbor in exchange for joining the union.
“No one can answer why we subsidize Canada to the tune of over $100,000,000 a year? Makes no sense! Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State. They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st State!!!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
During a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago in early December, Trump initially proposed the concept.
As the two engaged in a conversation regarding Trump’s proposed 25 percent tariffs on Canadian products, which he characterized as crucial for resolving trade imbalances and border security concerns, the lighthearted suggestion was made.
However, since that time, the president-elect has intensified his rhetoric, employing AI-generated parodies to taunt Trudeau, employing the term “Great State of Canada” in a sarcastic manner, and mockingly addressing the Canadian leader as “governor.”
Trudeau could not have been more unlucky with the timing of Trump’s provocations.
Amid crises in housing affordability, healthcare backlogs, and deepening cultural divides, his approval ratings have plummeted to a shockingly low 33 percent, according to an Ipsos poll.
To exacerbate the situation, his cabinet is currently in a state of disarray following the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who expressed her dissatisfaction with Trudeau’s fiscal policies in the context of a potential tariff war with the United States.
The political discourse in Canada is also dominated by Trump’s tariff threats.
Ottawa is acutely vulnerable to the consequences of a 25% tariff if Trump implements it, as 80 percent of Canada’s exports are directed toward the United States.
Pierre Poilievre, the opposition leader, has capitalized on the confusion by calling for an immediate election and characterizing it as a referendum on Trudeau’s leadership.
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