Trump’s quip about Canada becoming 51st state was a joke, says minister who was there

President-elect Donald Trump recently made a joke during a dinner with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, suggesting that if Canada couldn’t handle a 25 per cent tariff on its goods, it should become the 51st state of the U.S. The comment was made in a light-hearted manner and was not meant to be taken seriously.

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who was present at the dinner, clarified that Trump’s remark was simply a joke and not an indication of any serious plans to annex Canada. He emphasized that the conversation during the dinner was mostly light-hearted and that the two leaders shared a warm and cordial relationship.

While the dinner included discussions about tariffs and border security, including measures to prevent the flow of drugs and migrants, it was mostly a social evening. Canada has committed to procuring more helicopters and drones to enhance border surveillance in response to Trump’s tariff threat.

Despite the humorous nature of Trump’s comment, it prompted some nervous laughter from Trudeau and the Canadian delegation. Former senior adviser Gerald Butts noted that Trump often uses the 51st state line to tease Canadian officials and cautioned against overreacting to such remarks.

Trudeau will be meeting with opposition party leaders to brief them on his visit to Florida and the discussions with Trump. The meeting comes as Canada faces the prospect of significant tariffs on its goods, a situation that could have a major impact on the country’s economy.

Although some critics have labeled Trudeau’s visit as a failure due to the lack of assurances on tariff exemptions, former advisers to the president have praised the prime minister’s efforts to establish a personal relationship with Trump. They believe that such personal connections could be instrumental in navigating the complex Canada-U.S. relationship.

Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne highlighted the significance of Trudeau being the first G7 leader to be hosted by Trump, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Canada-U.S. relationship. He also stressed the importance of political unity in defending Canada’s interests in the face of external threats.

Overall, while Trump’s joke about annexing Canada may have raised some eyebrows, it was ultimately seen as a light-hearted moment in an otherwise productive and positive dinner meeting between the two leaders. The ongoing discussions about tariffs and border security underscore the importance of maintaining strong diplomatic ties between Canada and the U.S.