President-elect Donald Trump caused a buzz online with a comment suggesting that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state. He made the remark during a dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The comment was meant as a joke and wasn’t taken seriously by those there, but it quickly became a hot topic in Canada. Canadian officials were careful not to overreact.
Trump’s quip came in the context of a tense meeting between the two leaders, during which Trudeau raised concerns about Trump’s threatened tariffs on Canadian imports. According to Fox News sources, Trump’s suggestion of annexing Canada was made in a light-hearted manner, causing some nervous laughter among those in the room. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who attended the dinner, later downplayed the comment, describing it as “a joke” and “teasing” rather than a serious policy proposal. He emphasized that the social setting of the dinner was intended to be informal, with moments of humor interspersed with more substantive discussions.
Former Trudeau adviser Gerald Butts also advised against taking Trump’s comment too seriously, noting that the U.S. president-elect had made similar jokes during his first term. Butts suggested that Trump was simply trying to “rattle Canadian cages,” and that Canadians should avoid overreacting. This sentiment seemed to resonate in Ottawa, where government officials quickly pivoted to emphasizing the importance of strong U.S.-Canada relations and the ongoing work between the two countries.
Arif Virani, Canada’s Justice Minister, reinforced this message by focusing on the continuity of the Trudeau-Trump relationship. He noted that the two leaders had already developed a rapport during Trump’s first term, and that maintaining this relationship was crucial for addressing bilateral issues, particularly economic interests.
In the days following the dinner, Trump seemed to continue with the joke. On Tuesday, he posted an AI-generated image on his social media platform, Truth Social. The image showed him standing next to a Canadian flag, overlooking a mountain range, with the caption “Oh Canada!” The image, which featured a backdrop resembling the Matterhorn — a Swiss peak — drew some lighthearted mockery, but it also kept the conversation going about the provocative idea of Canada joining the United States.
While many in Canada were dismissive of the remark, others took the opportunity to reinforce the value of the U.S.-Canada relationship. Canada is the U.S.’s largest trading partner, with nearly 77% of its exports going to its southern neighbor. Trudeau’s government, which faced an uphill battle in negotiating trade deals during Trump’s first term, has made it a priority to ensure that Canada remains a strategic partner for the U.S. As Industry Minister Champagne put it, the U.S. would benefit from Canada’s vast resources and expertise in sectors ranging from energy to critical minerals.
The trade relationship between the two countries was a significant focus of the Mar-a-Lago dinner. Canada’s Ambassador to Washington, Kristen Hillman, addressed the trade deficit, which the U.S. has with Canada, noting that a substantial portion of this imbalance comes from Canada’s energy exports. Hillman emphasized that trade balances should be viewed in context, especially considering the size disparity between the two nations.
Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Canada remains a key issue, with some U.S. lawmakers warning that such measures would harm American consumers. Canada’s response to Trump’s trade rhetoric has been one of calm diplomacy, with Trudeau focusing on providing accurate data to counter misconceptions about Canada’s role in the flow of migrants and drugs to the U.S.
In the end, while Trump’s suggestion that Canada could be the 51st state was undoubtedly a joke, it highlighted the underlying complexities of U.S.-Canada relations. Both countries remain closely tied, with shared economic and security interests, even if the idea of annexation remains firmly in the realm of light-hearted banter. For now, Canadian officials seem content to laugh off the comments and continue their work of strengthening bilateral ties.
