Public statements or interviews with Justin Trudeau reported by major news outlets

Trump to Trudeau: If Canada Can't Survive Without "Ripping Off" U.S., Become 51st State

Dec 3, 2024, 02:23 AM

During a meeting at Mar-a-Lago, President-elect Donald Trump suggested to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that if Canada could not handle new U.S. tariffs, including a proposed 25% tariff that Trudeau warned would "kill" the Canadian economy, then perhaps Canada should become the 51st state of the United States, with Trudeau serving as its governor. Sources report that Trudeau laughed nervously at the remark. Trump made the suggestion in response to Trudeau's concerns, implying that if Canada could not survive without "ripping off" the U.S. to the tune of $100 billion a year, joining the U.S. might be an option. The exchange was reported by Fox News and other outlets.