New claims of territorial interest raise concerns
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has warned that US president Donald Trump is sincere in his desire to annex Canada, citing an interest in gaining access to critical minerals. Trudeau made the remarks behind closed doors during an economic summit in Toronto, The Globe and Mail reported.
According to multiple sources who spoke to The Globe and Mail, the Prime Minister disclosed details of recent phone calls with Trump, in which the US president referenced a 1908 treaty that established the US-Canada border. Trump reportedly implied that the border arrangement could be reconsidered.
While Canadian officials had previously dismissed Trump’s statements on making Canada the 51st US state as rhetoric, Trudeau’s latest comments indicate a shift in perception within his administration.
Trade disputes and annexation talk
Trump’s reference to the 1908 Treaty came amid ongoing trade tensions between the two countries. The US recently threatened steep tariffs on Canadian goods, though a last-minute agreement delayed their implementation for 30 days. Trump’s complaints about Canada’s trade policies include long-standing grievances over the country’s protected dairy industry and banking regulations.
Trump has reportedly suggested that Canada could avoid economic penalties by agreeing to closer political integration with the US. In early January, he referred to the US-Canada border as “an artificially drawn line” and hinted at using economic leverage to push for annexation.
Canadian response and economic strategy
Trudeau’s remarks at the summit reflect growing concern within the federal government about Canada’s economic reliance on the US. More than 75% of Canada’s merchandise exports go to the American market.
Employment minister Steven MacKinnon dismissed the idea of annexation, stating, “Canada is free, Canada is sovereign, and Canada will choose its own destiny.” Transport minister Anita Anand reinforced this position, saying, “There will be no messing with the 49th parallel.”
Beth Burke, CEO of the Canadian American Business Council, suggested that Trump’s comments are more of a negotiation tactic than a genuine policy goal. She said people in the US view the president’s persistent mention of annexation as a “position of negotiation and posturing,” adding that Canada could leverage its critical minerals in upcoming trade discussions.
Trudeau used the summit as an opportunity to call for greater economic independence, urging provinces to remove interprovincial trade barriers that hinder economic growth within Canada.
“It’s about time we had genuine free trade within Canada,” Trudeau told the summit. He emphasized the need for a stronger internal market and less reliance on the US as a primary trading partner.
Political fallout and future concerns
Ontario premier Doug Ford, currently campaigning for re-election, dismissed the economic summit as ineffective and called on the federal government to focus on border security. Ford suggested former chief of the defence Staff Rick Hillier as a potential “border czar” to combat drug trafficking, a remark his office later clarified as referring specifically to a fentanyl czar.
The Trump administration’s economic policies remain a critical issue for Canada. Trump has proposed additional tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper and has pledged to make the US a more attractive destination for investment through tax and regulatory cuts. By April, US government agencies are expected to report on trade deficits with key partners.
