Ottawa (TDI): Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday dismissed a suggestion by US President-elect Donald Trump that he might use “economic force” to make Canada the 51st US state.
“There is no way in hell that Canada would join the US,” Trudeau said in a post on X.
“Workers and communities in both nations thrive as each other’s largest trading and security partner.”
Trump, speaking in Mar-a-Lago, was asked if he was considering using military might to acquire Canada.
“No, economic force,” he responded. “Because Canada and the US, that would really be something.”
Trump, who has long complained about Canada’s trade surplus with the United States, had earlier told journalists the border was an “artificially drawn line.”
Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports, which sends 75 percent of all products and services south of the border.
Also Read: Trump Threatens ‘Economic Force’ Against Canada
Earlier on Tuesday, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Trump’s remarks “show a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada a strong nation. We will never bow down in the face of threats.
Trudeau announced on Monday that he would resign in the coming months, bowing to pressure from legislators alarmed by his Liberal Party’s unpopularity.
The next election must be held by October 20 and polls predict a crushing victory for the official opposition Conservatives.
Also Read: ‘Great Nation’ Possible If Canada Becomes 51st State: Trump
“Canada will never be the 51st state. Period. We are a great and independent nation,” Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said in a post on X.
