Washington DC:
“Trump’s Bold Proposal: Merging Canada into the United States”
In a move that has sparked significant controversy, US President-elect Donald Trump has reiterated his proposal to make Canada the 51st state of the United States, this time backing his claim with a visual representation. On Tuesday, following the certification of his election victory, Trump shared a map on his Truth Social platform that depicts Canada as part of the United States, accompanied by the caption “Oh Canada!”
During a press conference held at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump emphasized the potential benefits of such a merger, suggesting it would enhance national security and eliminate the “artificially drawn line” between the two countries. He argued that this union would be advantageous for both nations, stating, “You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like, and it would also be much better for national security.”
Trump also criticized Canada’s military spending, noting that Canada relies heavily on the US military. “They have a very small military. They rely on our military. It’s very unfair,” he said. When questioned about the possibility of using military force to achieve this goal, Trump clarified, “No, economic force.” He suggested that substantial tariffs could be imposed on Canadian goods if the country does not comply.
The President-elect painted a rosy picture of the future, promising that this merger would mark the “dawn of America’s golden age.” He claimed that integrating Canada into the US would eliminate trade barriers, reduce taxes for Canadians, and bolster their security against threats from Russia and China.
Canadian leaders were quick to rebuff Trump’s proposal. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who recently announced his resignation, tweeted, “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States. Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other’s biggest trading and security partner.” Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly echoed this sentiment, describing Trump’s remarks as a “complete lack of understanding” of Canada and emphasizing the strength of Canada’s economy and people.
