Trump’s 51st state talk is not a ‘real threat,’ Canada’s defence minister says

Defence Minister Bill Blair has addressed concerns regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s talk of annexing Canada, stating that it is not a “real threat.” This statement comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s remarks at an economic summit, where he indicated that Trump’s desire to annex Canada should be taken seriously.

Blair is currently in Brussels to meet with NATO allies and the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion. During a breakfast meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Blair expressed his views on Trump’s comments, labeling them as “disrespectful and concerning” but not a serious threat.

While Trudeau previously referred to Trump’s threat as “a real thing” due to the U.S. president’s interest in Canada’s critical minerals, Blair reiterated that Canada will stand up for its sovereignty. He emphasized that conversations about Canada becoming the 51st state are a non-starter and will never come to fruition.

Critical minerals play a significant role in a country’s economic and national security, with Canada being a key supplier of 13 minerals on the U.S.’ critical list. In 2023, Canada exported $29.8 billion worth of critical minerals to the United States, making it the largest exporter to the U.S.

Blair also mentioned his upcoming meeting with U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Brussels. Trump has called on NATO members to spend five percent of their GDP on defense, a target that no NATO country has met. Canada, like a third of NATO allies, is striving to reach the alliance’s two percent target.

When asked about the possibility of Canada increasing its defense spending to five percent of GDP, Blair emphasized the country’s commitment to meeting the two percent threshold. He acknowledged the importance of fulfilling obligations to NATO, Norad, and alliances in the Indo-Pacific region.

Overall, Blair’s remarks highlight Canada’s determination to defend its sovereignty and uphold its commitments to international alliances. The country remains vigilant in the face of external threats while prioritizing its national security interests.