In a surprising statement, Donald Trump has suggested that Canada should join the United States as its 51st state. This idea came shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he was stepping down. Trudeau’s decision to resign marks the end of his almost ten years as Canada’s leader.
Why Did Trudeau Resign?
Trudeau faced many challenges during his time as prime minister. Problems like rising prices and a shortage of homes made life harder for Canadians. People were unhappy with how things were going, and his popularity dropped. His party, the Liberal Party, also had issues inside, which made his job even harder. All of this led Trudeau to announce he was stepping down.
On January 6, 2025, Trudeau made it clear that the time had come for new leadership, stating that although it was a difficult decision, it was the right one. Canadians are divided on his resignation, with some feeling he did his best, while others believe it was time for him to leave.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
Donald Trump, now President-elect, quickly commented on Trudeau’s resignation. He took the opportunity to repeat an idea he has mentioned before: that Canada should become part of the United States. Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, “Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State. The United States can no longer suffer the massive Trade Deficits and Subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat.”
He added, “Justin Trudeau knew this, and resigned. If Canada merged with the U.S., there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them.”6th
Trump’s comment follows earlier statements he made about Canada. In late 2024, Trump joked about Trudeau being a “governor” of Canada and suggested merging the two countries. He even threatened to add high taxes on Canadian goods if Canada did not agree.
For Canadians, being part of the U.S. would mean giving up their unique culture, government, and traditions.
Doug Ford, the Premier of Ontario, laughed about Trump’s suggestion during an interview. He joked that Trump might be trying to “get revenge for the War of 1812,” a conflict between the U.S. and Canada over 200 years ago. Others worry about what this proposal means for Canada’s future. While some Canadians admire Trump’s boldness, many see his idea as unrealistic and dismissive of their sovereignty.
The thought of Canada joining the United States is not new. Over the years, some people have talked about it, but these discussions never became serious. Canada and the U.S. are close neighbors and trade partners, but they have very different governments and cultures. Joining the two countries would involve huge changes that many people would not support.
Historically, Canadians have been proud of their independence from the United States. Even with challenges like inflation and housing shortages, most Canadians value their own identity. Trump’s suggestion may grab headlines, but it seems unlikely that Canada would ever agree to such a merger.
For now, Canada is focused on finding a new leader. The country is dealing with big issues like rising costs of living and housing shortages. These problems will need urgent attention from whoever takes Trudeau’s place.
Donald Trump’s idea of making Canada the 51st seems unrealistic and even insulting to many Canadians. Canada and the U.S. are strong partners, but they are also very different. Most Canadians would not want to lose their independence or become part of another country.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
