President-elect Donald Trump suggested Canada could become the 51st US state during a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago, where discussions centered on trade deficits and border security, sources told Fox News.
The meeting, which took place last Friday, occurred after Trump threatened to impose sweeping 25% tariffs on Canadian products over what he described as failures to address trade imbalances and its role in allowing drugs and illegal immigrants from more than 70 countries to cross into the United States.
Eagle-eyed viewers spot outrageous act in Trump's picture with Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago https://t.co/N5l1YyKUFt pic.twitter.com/W0NPSjmo7A
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) November 30, 2024
According to two sources present at the dinner, the exchange took an unexpected turn when Trudeau expressed concern that such tariffs would devastate Canada's economy. Trump reportedly responded by questioning whether Canada's economic model was overly dependent on what he characterized as unfair trade practices with the United States. "Your country can't survive unless it's ripping off the US to the tune of $100 billion?" Trump asked.
In what sources described as a moment that drew nervous laughter, the president-elect then suggested that Canada could become the 51st state. Trump continued the theme by noting that while "prime minister" was a better title, Trudeau "could still be governor of the 51st state." When another dinner guest pointed out that Canada would likely be a liberal-leaning state, Trump suggested it could potentially be divided into two states – one conservative and one liberal.
The conversation remained "very friendly and very positive," according to Canadian guests. Trump concluded by setting a deadline of January 20 to address his concerns.
