Trudeau Shares Insight on Trump’s Annexation Talk with Jen Psaki
In a candid preview of an upcoming interview with MSNBC’s Jen Psaki, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered a glimpse into his meeting with Donald Trump at the former president’s Mar-a-Lago resort. The conversation touched on a variety of topics, including border security, fentanyl, and migration, but the highlight was Trump’s eyebrow-raising idea about annexing Canada.
Trump’s Annexation Comments
During a recent press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump outlined a bizarre and expansive vision to annex territories, including Greenland, the Panama Canal, and Canada, stating he would use military or economic force if necessary. This declaration marked the continuation of Trump’s ongoing trolling of Trudeau and Canada.
During their private discussions, Trudeau’s exchange with Psaki shed light on how he approached this unusual proposal. While Trump’s annexation rhetoric seemed more bluster than strategy, Trudeau managed to defuse the tension with a calculated response.
Trudeau’s Strategic Response
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When Psaki asked about Trump’s annexation remarks, Trudeau recounted the moment with a mix of diplomacy and humor. According to Trudeau, the idea of annexation came up in their conversation. He responded by playfully proposing a hypothetical trade:
“It actually sort of came up at one point and then we started musing back and forth about this,” Trudeau explained. “And when I started to suggest, well, maybe there could be a trade for Vermont or California for certain parts, he immediately decided that it was not that funny anymore, and we moved on to a different conversation.”
This quick-witted rejoinder, Trudeau suggested, helped shift the focus away from Trump’s unrealistic annexation talk to more pragmatic issues.
Addressing Real Concerns
Trudeau emphasized that his primary focus during the meeting was addressing legitimate issues of mutual concern, particularly those raised by Trump regarding border security. Trump expressed concerns over migration and fentanyl crossing into the U.S. from Canada. Trudeau countered with statistics, highlighting that less than 1% of illegal migrants and fentanyl entering the U.S. come from Canada.
He also noted Canada’s efforts to strengthen border security, including billions of dollars in investments to curb the flow of illicit drugs and improve migration management. Trudeau framed these efforts as evidence of Canada’s commitment to collaboration, stating, “It’s in both of our interests to do well together.”
Moving Forward
As the interview clip suggests, Trudeau’s approach to Trump’s provocations—acknowledging them without escalating—is part of a broader strategy to maintain Canada-U.S. relations. While Trump’s annexation remarks are unlikely to translate into concrete policy, they underscore the unpredictable nature of his political rhetoric and its potential to strain diplomatic ties.
The full interview with Trudeau will air on MSNBC’s Inside with Jen Psaki this Sunday, offering further insights into the dynamics of his meeting with Trump and the challenges of navigating their complex relationship.
Featured image via screengrab
