Canadian Press Office
Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has firmly dismissed US President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to annex Canada, asserting that there is “not a snowball’s chance in hell” of Canada becoming part of the United States. During a press conference, Trump proposed that Canada could potentially become the “51st state” and expressed concerns regarding economic and security issues. He voiced his dissatisfaction with what he perceived as Canada’s dependence on US resources, suggesting that the US might employ “economic force” to encourage a tighter union. In reply, Trudeau highlighted the robust trade and security relationship between the two countries, stating on social media, “Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other’s biggest trading and security partner.”
This situation arises as worries about Canada’s economic intensification, which is already facing challenges. In 2023, approximately $2.5 billion in goods and services were exchanged across the US-Canada border each day, solidifying the US as Canada’s primary trading partner. Economists caution that Trump’s threats could adversely affect the Canadian economy if they come to fruition. As Canada undergoes a political transition, with Trudeau announcing his resignation and intending to stay in office until a new leader is chosen by late March, provincial leaders like British Columbia Premier David Eby are gearing up to advocate in Washington against Trump’s proposed actions.
Other Canadian officials, such as Ontario Premier Doug Ford, have firmly opposed the notion of annexation and have cautioned against potential retaliatory measures, especially if economic sanctions are imposed. The Trudeau administration has begun implementing measures to bolster border security, focusing on tackling transnational organized crime. However, the looming threat of tariffs and political unrest in both nations introduces an element of unpredictability to their future interactions.
