Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has firmly rejected US President-elect Donald Trump’s suggestion of using “economic force” to make Canada the 51st US state. Trudeau emphasized that such a situation is impossible, stating, “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States”.
During a press briefing at Mar-a-Lago, Trump was asked if he was considering using military force to acquire Canada. He responded, “No, economic force,” adding, “Because Canada and the United States, that would really be something”.
Trump has long complained about Canada’s trade surplus with the US and has threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada, which sends 75 percent of its exports to the US. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly criticized Trump’s comments, stating they “show a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada a strong country”.
Trudeau announced on Monday that he would step down in the coming months, bowing to pressure from lawmakers alarmed by his Liberal Party’s unpopularity. The next election must be held by October 20, with polls predicting a win for the official opposition Conservatives.