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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly told business and labor leaders on Friday that President Donald Trump’s idea of making Canada the 51st U.S. state is a “real thing” and linked to American interest in the country’s vast natural resources.
His remarks, which were made during a closed-door meeting, were accidentally broadcast over a loudspeaker, according to Canada’s public broadcaster CBC.
“Mr. Trump has it in mind that the easiest way to do it is absorbing our country, and it is a real thing,” Trudeau was overheard saying before the microphone cut out. He went on to say that U.S. officials are “very aware of our resources, of what we have, and they very much want to be able to benefit from those.”
Trudeau’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but his remarks were confirmed by Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labor.
“Yes, I can confirm that Trudeau said his assessment is that what Trump really wants is not action on fentanyl or immigration or even the trade deficit,” McGowan wrote on X. “What he really wants is to either dominate Canada or take it outright.”
Trump has frequently suggested that Canada would be better off if it became part of the United States, and his administration’s recent tariff threats have increased tensions between the two countries.
On Friday, Trudeau spoke publicly about the economic relationship between Canada and the U.S., warning that Canada must think “tactically and strategically” about how to respond to Trump’s threats to impose heavy tariffs on Canadian imports.
Speaking at a one-day summit in Toronto focused on U.S.-Canada trade relations, Trudeau emphasized the need for economic diversification and reducing Canada’s dependence on the U.S.
“This is a moment,” he said. “This is a time in our country’s history that really matters.”
Earlier in the week, Trump had agreed to a 30-day pause on imposing 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, along with an additional 10% tariff on Canadian oil, natural gas, and electricity.
His administration has argued that the tariffs are intended to pressure both countries into taking stronger action against illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling. However, Trump has also pledged to use tariffs as a tool to boost domestic manufacturing and increase federal revenues.
Trudeau said Canada will use the temporary reprieve to demonstrate its increased border security efforts to U.S. officials. Canada has announced a CA$1.3 billion (US$900 million) plan to strengthen border security, which includes additional drones, helicopters, border guards, and the establishment of a joint task force.
Additionally, Trudeau has committed to appointing a new “fentanyl czar” to act as the main liaison between Canadian and U.S. governments.
However, he noted that Canada accounts for less than 1% of fentanyl and illegal immigrant crossings into the U.S., making the issue disproportionately focused on in trade negotiations.
“We need to be very deliberate about how we continue to engage closely with the United States to make the case that Canada is responsible for a tiny part of the North American fentanyl problem but that we are also bitterly touched by this tragedy,” Trudeau said.
Despite diplomatic efforts, Trudeau acknowledged that Canada must be prepared for the possibility that Trump will move forward with tariffs after the 30-day period ends.
“We need to be ready to respond robustly,” he said. “We also have to be ready to support Canadians through the responses we’re giving and through a difficult time of tariffs.”
Canada had planned a countermeasure in response to potential U.S. tariffs, proposing a 25% tariff on CA$155 billion (US$109 billion) worth of American goods.
Trudeau also reiterated the importance of strengthening trade relationships beyond the United States and called for “genuine free trade in Canada” to ensure economic resilience.
Candace Laing, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, welcomed Trudeau’s focus on internal trade and economic diversification, saying that Canada must take bolder steps to ensure stability.
“It’s clear that we can’t just tinker around the edges with incremental steps right now,” Laing said in a statement. “We’ve got to be bold so that businesses and communities can pivot to be more resilient and less reliant on what happens in the U.S.”
With tensions rising between the two nations, Canada faces a crucial moment in its economic and political strategy. Whether Trudeau’s government will successfully navigate Trump’s pressures while maintaining sovereignty remains a key issue in the coming months.
