Donald Trump has once again called on Canada to become the 51st state.
Since taking office in January, Trump has floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state – a proposal that has been met with outrage and outright rejection from Canadian leaders.
But now, amid a heated trade dispute, the 78-year-old has renewed his call for the country to join the United States, arguing that it would eliminate tariffs and resolve ongoing economic tensions.
The latest controversy erupted on Tuesday when the two-time president announced that his administration would double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports, raising them from 25% to 50%, BBC News reported.
This move follows Ontario’s decision to impose a 25% charge on electricity exports to the US, a policy that could impact roughly 1.5 million American homes and businesses in northern states like New York, Michigan, and Minnesota.
In a social media post, Trump responded aggressively, writing: “Based on Ontario, Canada, placing a 25% Tariff on ‘Electricity’ coming into the United States, I have instructed my Secretary of Commerce to add an ADDITIONAL 25% Tariff, to 50%, on all STEEL and ALUMINUM COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM CANADA, ONE OF THE HIGHEST TARIFFING NATIONS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,” cited by CBS News.
But he didn’t stop there. Trump doubled down on his long-standing idea that Canada should become part of the US, saying: “The only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State.”
“This would make all Tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear,” he wrote, while promising that Canadians’ taxes would go down.
“The artificial line of separation drawn many years ago will finally disappear, and we will have the safest and most beautiful Nation anywhere in the World,” he said, adding: “And your brilliant anthem, ‘O Canada,’ will continue to play, but now representing a GREAT and POWERFUL STATE within the greatest Nation that the World has ever seen!”
Unsurprisingly, Trump’s suggestion has been dismissed outright by Canadian officials.
The country’s incoming Prime Minister, Mark Carney, flatly rejected the idea, stating: “America is not part of Canada and Canada will never ever be part of America in any way, shape or form.”
“He’s attacking Canadian families, workers and businesses and we cannot let him succeed,” the former Bank of England and Bank of Canada governor added.
Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford, who had initially implemented the electricity tariff, took a hard stance against the US leader’s economic policies, calling them disastrous for the economy.
He made it clear that he is ready to go even further, warning: “If the US escalates, I will not hesitate to shut off electricity completely.”
Trump has also threatened to impose new tariffs on Canadian-made cars if Ottawa does not drop its retaliatory measures, further escalating tensions between the two nations.
Meanwhile, the financial markets have taken a hit, with the US stock market dipping following the tariff announcements.
Economists warn that the ongoing trade war could increase prices for American consumers and businesses, particularly those reliant on Canadian metals and electricity.
