The US President is likely trying to soften up Ottawa ahead of trade negotiations, according to Moscow’s embassy
US President Donald Trump is unlikely to actually annex Canada by force and is simply “trolling” outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the press service of Russia’s embassy in Ottawa has told the Daily Storm.
Ahead of his inauguration on Monday, Trump had suggested that Canada should become the 51st state of the US, adding that Washington could use “economic force” to absorb its northern neighbor.
In an article published on Monday, the outlet quoted the diplomats as stating that what Trump is doing “looks more like a cruel joke, an attempt to tease Canadians, trolling the current Canadian leadership,” particularly given the lack of “personal chemistry” between him and Trudeau.
The embassy is said to have suggested that it was “hardly worth talking about any attempts at a forceful takeover, an armed conflict or a split in NATO” and noted that Trump’s loud statements may be linked to upcoming trade negotiations between the US and Canada.
Trump had previously announced plans to impose sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China after he takes office, including a 25% tax on all Canadian imports to the US.
“Trump is creating division and confusion within the Canadian political establishment. In doing so, he is softening Ottawa’s position ahead of the inevitable future trade negotiations,” the diplomats told the outlet, adding that the “nervous and pliant reaction” to the provocation suggests that Trump “is already winning” in this regard.
The US President had previously also insisted on acquiring Greenland, calling it an “absolute necessity” for American national security. The press service of the Russian embassy noted that even if the US were to somehow annex Canada and the neighboring island in order to take possession of their resources and water areas, Washington would simply not have enough funds to develop them, as it would require “unprecedented and colossal financial and material investments and human resources.”
“The US does not have them yet, and the project would stretch out over decades, not to mention one four-year presidential term,” the embassy was quoted as saying.
Moscow, meanwhile, has stressed that the US annexation of Greenland would pose a “military threat” to Russia and undermine stability in the Arctic. President Vladimir Putin’s senior aide, Nikolay Patrushev, also warned in September that “the military activity of NATO members in the Arctic increases the potential for conflict.”
