Trump's talk of annexation isn’t even playing well with many of his own supporters
The leader of the world’s most powerful economic and military force talking about taking over your country is a scary prospect, but Donald Trump’s repeated suggestion that Canada could become the 51st state of the US has little support either side of the border.
Few would expect Canadians to be open to the idea and a new poll from the Angus Reid Institute confirms this – 90% of respondents would say ‘no’ if given the chance to vote on joining the US. This has not changed over the last few months. There is slightly more interest among men aged 35-54 (22%) while the over 55s in favour barely register on the chart.
However, the survey reveals that most Americans are also not in favour of expanding north. Overall, 60% said they are not interested in Canada joining the US while 32% said they would be open to it if Canadians want to.
A small minority said the US should use political and economic pressure to annex Canada while 2% think annexation should be achieved through military force.
Even among Trump voters, 44% of Americans said they have no interest in Canada becoming the latest addition to the United States with 42% only in favour if Canadians want it.
Interestingly, the poll also finds that Canadians are more likely to take the US president’s talk of annexation seriously than Americans. While 54% of Canadians think he’s serious, just 34% of Americans agree. Both of these percentages have risen in the last few months.
Outgoing prime minster Justin Trudeau said in January there was “not a snowball’s chance” of Canada becoming part of the US, and incoming PM Mark Carney has gone on the record with his view: “We have made this the greatest country in the world and now our neighbours want to take us. No way.”
