Trump suggests using "economic force" to unite the US and Canada, sparking firm rejection
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau firmly rejected the notion of Canada merging with the United States following US President-elect Donald Trump's comments suggesting the possibility of using “economic force” to acquire Canada.
BNN Bloomberg reports that Trudeau declared, “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.”
Trump, during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, avoided ruling out military actions for seizing control of Greenland and the Panama Canal.
When asked if military force was an option for acquiring Canada, he responded, “No, economic force.”
He added, “Canada and the United States, that would really be something. You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and it would also be much better for national security. … We basically protect Canada.”
Trump has previously hinted at merging the two countries. In early December, during a Canadian delegation visit to Mar-a-Lago, which Trudeau attended, Canadian officials dismissed similar comments as jokes.
However, Trump's subsequent statements suggest a more serious tone.
He claimed, “We’re losing US$200bn a year and more to protect Canada,” referencing a supposed subsidy. “I said to, as I called him, ‘Governor Trudeau,’ ‘What would happen if we didn’t subsidize you?’ He said, ‘Canada would dissolve.’”
The trade deficit between the two countries was US$41bn in 2023, but Trump suggested this figure has grown to US$200bn. CTVNews.ca reached out to Trump’s office for clarification on this claim.
Trudeau responded on social media, saying, “Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other’s biggest trading and security partner.”
There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 7, 2025
Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other’s biggest trading and security partner.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly added that Trump’s comments “show a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada a strong country.”
Joly, considered a potential successor to Trudeau, emphasized, “Our economy is strong. Our people are strong. We will never back down in the face of threats.”
President-elect Trump’s comments show a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada a strong country.
— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) January 7, 2025
Our economy is strong.
Our people are strong.
We will never back down in the face of threats.
Trudeau announced his resignation from Liberal leadership on Monday, sparking speculation about his successor.
US President Joe Biden released a statement commending Trudeau, saying, “The world is better off because of him.”
Biden credited Trudeau for strengthening the US-Canada alliance, addressing major challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and fentanyl.
Meanwhile, Trump took a different tone on Truth Social, again referring to Canada as the United States' 51st state.
He criticised Trudeau for “massive trade deficits” and floated the idea of merging the two nations to eliminate tariffs and reduce taxes.
Canada-US trade remains vital to both economies. From January to November last year, the US exported $461.5bn in goods to Canada and imported $540.3bn.
The US International Trade Association highlighted the trade relationship as the most comprehensive globally, supporting millions of jobs in both countries.
Trump also mentioned a conversation with hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, suggesting Gretzky run for Canadian prime minister.
“I told him run for prime minister … You’ll win in two seconds,” Trump said, recounting their Christmas Day meeting. Gretzky jokingly asked, “Am I going to run for prime minister or governor? You tell me.” Trump replied, “Let’s make it governor.”
