Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is using his final days in office to voice concerns about former US President Donald Trump’s remarks on turning Canada into the “51st state.” Speaking to MSNBC’s Jen Psaki in a wide-ranging interview on Sunday, Trudeau revealed details of a conversation with Trump during a meeting at Mar-a-Lago in November.
“It actually sort of came up at one point,” Trudeau said, referring to Trump’s earlier comments about annexing Canada. “We started musing back and forth about this. And when I jokingly suggested we could trade for Vermont or California, he didn’t find it amusing anymore. The conversation quickly shifted.”
Trudeau dismissed the notion outright, emphasizing Canada’s sovereignty. “That’s not going to happen. Canadians are incredibly proud of being Canadian,” he said, adding that such discussions served as a distraction from pressing trade issues, including Trump’s threats of imposing tariffs on Canadian exports.
Trump has repeatedly made provocative statements about Canada, referring to the country as the “51st state,” labeling Trudeau its “governor,” and even suggesting NHL legend Wayne Gretzky as a potential prime ministerial candidate.
A ‘robust response’ to tariff threats
In the interview, Trudeau shifted the focus to Trump’s economic policies, warning of significant consequences if tariffs on Canadian goods are implemented. “If he does choose to go forward with tariffs that raise costs for American citizens, we will have to respond robustly,” Trudeau stated.
While Trudeau acknowledged that Trump’s rhetoric often veered into the hypothetical — including past remarks about purchasing Greenland and reclaiming the Panama Canal — he urged leaders to address tangible challenges instead of entertaining far-fetched scenarios.
Trudeau’s resignation announcement this week has sparked speculation about his political future, but his sharp remarks against Trump’s proposals suggest he isn’t shying away from leaving an enduring political legacy.
Trump, meanwhile, has not ruled out extreme measures regarding other territorial aspirations, saying during a recent Mar-a-Lago press conference, “The Panama Canal is vital to our country. We need Greenland for national security purposes.”