Trump Doubles Down on Canada as 51st State: Trudeau Fires Back

President-elect Donald Trump reignited controversy Tuesday night by suggesting Canada should become the 51st state of the United States.

Sharing two provocative posts on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump included a map showing Canada merged with the U.S., labeled "United States," and another image with both countries draped in the American flag.

“Oh Canada!” Trump captioned one of the posts.

This latest push follows Trump’s earlier comments on Tuesday at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. “Canada and the United States. That would really be something,” he said. “They should be a state.”

Trump also claimed on Monday that many Canadians are enthusiastic about joining the U.S. “Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State,” he wrote on Truth Social. “The United States can no longer suffer the massive trade deficits and subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat.”

He went on to argue that merging the two nations would eliminate tariffs, reduce taxes, and provide Canada with increased security.

“If Canada merged with the U.S., there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them,” Trump added. “Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation on Monday, was quick to refute Trump’s comments. Speaking on the social media platform X, Trudeau dismissed the idea of Canada joining the U.S.

“There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,” he wrote. “Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other’s biggest trading and security partner.”

Trump’s campaign to integrate Canada into the U.S. has intensified in recent weeks. In addition to his social media posts, Trump has mocked Trudeau, repeatedly referring to him as “governor.”

He has also threatened to impose substantial tariffs on Canadian imports, framing them as necessary to address perceived economic imbalances.

Trudeau has maintained that Canada’s sovereignty is non-negotiable, emphasizing the benefits of the existing partnership between the two nations. His strong rebuttal reflects Canada’s widespread resistance to Trump’s proposals, which many Canadians see as undermining their independence.

Beyond Canada, Trump has also turned his attention to other territorial ambitions. He has renewed calls for Denmark to sell Greenland to the U.S., a proposal he first floated during his previous term in office.

The suggestion was dismissed outright by Danish officials at the time, but Trump’s revived interest signals his broader strategy to expand U.S. influence globally.

Trump’s comments about Canada have sparked mixed reactions. Supporters praise the idea as a bold move to strengthen North America’s economic and geopolitical position, while critics dismiss it as impractical and inflammatory.

Analysts suggest that Trump’s statements, while unlikely to materialize into policy, reflect his unconventional approach to diplomacy and governance.

The controversy comes as Canada faces political uncertainty with Trudeau’s impending departure. His resignation has left a leadership vacuum in the Liberal Party, which will likely face stiff competition from the opposition Conservatives in the upcoming elections.

Trump’s provocative remarks add another layer of complexity to Canada’s political landscape.

As Trump prepares to assume office, his proposals underscore the unpredictable nature of his leadership. Whether his ideas regarding Canada gain traction or remain a rhetorical device, they have already sparked debates about North American relations and the balance of power in the region.