 "Trump again: 'Canada as 51st state a great idea; many Canadians want it'")
President-elect Donald Trump early Wednesday gave another nudge to the 51st state row by criticising Canada and asked why the US subsidises its northern neighbour to the tune of over $100,000,000 a year.
He also suggested that should Canada should become the 51st state as many Canadians are in favour of this “great idea”.
Taking to Truth Social, Trump said, “No one can answer why we subsidize Canada to the tune of over $100,000,000 a year? Makes no sense!”. “Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State.”
“They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea,” he added. “51st State!!!”
His comments come as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces fresh trouble following deputy PM and finance minister Chrysia Freeland’s resignation.
Last month, the president-elect announced plans to impose a 25 per cent tariff on products imported from Canada and Mexico, with an additional 10 per cent tariff on China.
Trump said the tariffs would pressure these trading partners to take stronger action against the flow of fentanyl and other drugs into the US and to enhance border security.
After making the tariff threat, Trump revealed on Truth Social that he had spoken with Trudeau over phone. Trudeau later traveled to Mar-a-Lago for an in-person meeting with Trump.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“I made it very clear that the United States will no longer sit idly by as our Citizens become victims to the scourge of this Drug Epidemic, caused mainly by the Drug Cartels, and Fentanyl pouring in from China,” Trump had posted after the meeting with Trudeau.
“Too much death and hardship!” he added.
Trump’s threat toward Canada has caused a shake-up in Ottawa’s government, with Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigning this week. In her resignation letter, she noted Trump’s tariffs threat. The president-elect subsequently slammed her behavior as “totally toxic.”
He has also jokingly called Trudeau the “governor” of the “Great State of Canada.”
With inputs from agencies
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