The US President has named lower taxes and tariffs, and military support for Ottawa as bonuses, were it to join Washington
US President Donald Trump has once again stated that he would love to see Canada become America’s 51st state, promising a list of perks to its citizens.
Trump made the remarks, echoing previous numerous suggestions that his his administration would somehow transform Canada into a part of the US, on Friday during a press briefing in North Carolina.
”The Canadian citizens, if that happened, would get a very big tax cut, a tremendous tax cut because they are currently very highly taxed,” he said.
Trump went on to claim that the Canadians wouldn’t have to worry about their military or many other issues. “They’d also have better health coverage – much better health coverage, in fact,” he asserted, adding, “I think the people of Canada would like it if it’s explained [to them].”
During and after his election campaign, Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian goods, arguing that the measure would strengthen the US economy. He told reporters on Thursday that still plans to hit Canada with 25% tariffs starting February 1.
According to Trump, Canada joining the US would nullify any tariffs and create business opportunities.
The US is “losing $200 billion a year” to its northern neighbor, Trump insisted during the press briefing, blaming “poor management, especially in the last four years,” that has allowed the situation to become “very imbalanced.”
The US does not need Canadian cars, lumber, and food products “because we produce the same things right on the other side of the border,” he claimed.
Earlier this month, Trump shared two maps on social media showing Canada as an American territory, after Canada’s outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rebuffed his proposal to merge the countries.
Trudeau, who then announced that he would step down as prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party citing “internal battles”, said that Canada will never become a part of the United States.
Trump in turn suggested that the US could use “economic force” to absorb its northern neighbor, whose goods he threatened to hit with harsh tariffs.
On Thursday, Trudeau warned that Canada will respond with retaliatory tariffs and “prices for American consumers on just about everything will go up.”
Some media have pointed out, citing the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, that in fact, the US goods and services trade deficit with Canada was slightly above $40 billion in 2023.
