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President-elect Donald Trump suggested Canada could join the United States as the 51st state if it fails to pay the threatened trade tariffs, as has been alleged via social media. If the allegations are to be believed, Trump made the remark at his Mar-a-Lago home while meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. One of Trump's first executive orders since taking office in January is a planned 25% tax on all imports from Canada and Mexico.
Hahahaaa Trudeau was complaining about tariffs and Trump told him that if Canada can’t survive without ripping off the U.S. then Canada should become the 51st state 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/JCqsaCBuxG
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 3, 2024
After the negotiations, which produced no guarantees that Trump would renounce his trade threats, Trudeau left for Canada on Saturday. According to a statement, Trump called the talks "productive" but reaffirmed his support for the tariffs. According to an earlier AP article, Trudeau's administration believes the planned restrictions are unjust since they lump Canada with Mexico on matters pertaining to migration and narcotics.
Unprecedented Proposition Amid Trade Tensions
Trump’s comments on statehood allegedly gave the gathering an unexpected twist.
Trudeau phoned Trump earlier this week to set up the meetings, according to an official with knowledge of the conversations. Other nations have asked Canada for guidance on how to interact with the president-elect, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press.
The idea of Canada becoming the 51st state is not a novel one. In his 1962 book In High Places, Arthur Hailey saw Canada as a continuation of the United States, without its own foreign and security policies. But according to The Free Press Journal, the concept has long remained a theoretical idea rather than a political reality.
Tariffs as a Tool Against Drugs and Migration
The Trump administration wants to stop the flow of migrants and narcotics into the US by imposing tariffs. Targeting fentanyl, a powerful opioid that is thought to be responsible for thousands of deaths, is part of this. Mexico and Canada have also expressed disapproval of the approach, highlighting the possible negative economic effect, the Deccan Herald reported.
Claudia Sheinbaum, the president of Mexico, issued a warning this week that the planned taxes will hurt both countries. She implied that if Trump implements the idea, Mexico may strike back. Sheinbaum's remarks demonstrate how North American politicians are becoming increasingly alarmed by Trump's protectionist policies.
Historical Context of the 51st State Idea
For many years, the idea of a 51st state has been discussed in American politics. In the past, it has meant admitting a new state from among the current U.S. territories, foreign countries, or areas like Washington, D.C. In 1959, Hawaii became the last state to enter the Union.