President-elect Trump on Monday repeated his suggestion It must become Canada The 51st US state, just hours after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his plan to resign.
“Many people in Canada would love to be the 51st state. The United States can no longer run the massive trade deficits and subsidies Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew that, and he resigned.” Trump wrote On social truth.
“If Canada merged with the United States, there would be no tariffs, taxes would be much lower, and they would be completely safe from the threat of Russian and Chinese ships that constantly surround them. Together, what a great nation they would be!!!” He added.
Sources told Fox News in December That Trump brought up the merger idea to Trudeau personally when they met at Mar-a-Lago in late November.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with President-elect Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida in late November to discuss topics such as the economy, illegal immigration and a proposed 25% tariff. (Justin Trudeau x)
Trudeau went to Trump's Florida residence unannounced that month after the president-elect threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products. Trump warned of imposing 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico due to the failure of the two countries to limit the flow of illegal immigrants and illicit drugs from those countries to the United States.
“We discussed many important topics that require both countries to work together to address, such as the fentanyl and drug crisis that has claimed so many lives as a result of illegal immigration, fair trade agreements that do not put American workers at risk, and the massive trade deficit.” “The United States has a relationship with Canada,” Trump wrote on Truth Social at the time.
Trudeau announced earlier this morning that he will resign as Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with media outside Rideau Cottage on Monday, January 6 in Ottawa. (AP/Adrian Wilde/The Canadian Press)
“I intend to resign as party leader, as Prime Minister, after the party chooses its next leader through a vigorous, competitive, nationwide process,” Trudeau said in a speech Monday morning. “Last night, I asked the leader of the Liberal Party to start that process. This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I have to fight internal battles, I cannot be the person.” “The best choice in this election.”
Trudeau, who has led Canada for nearly a decade, has for months faced significant declines in his approval ratings due to growing frustration over issues such as the high cost of living and rising inflation.
US President-elect Donald Trump delivers remarks during a campaign rally at Cobb Energy Center for the Performing Arts on October 15, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canada. (Kevin Deitch/Getty Images)
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The long-serving prime minister has seen a surge in calls for his resignation – from at least seven Liberal MPs as well as opposition party leaders – after the surprise departure of his finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, who wrote a scathing resignation letter that cited Trudeau's handling of some policies. economic, in addition to the threats posed by Trump.
Fox News' Michael Dorgan, Caitlin McFall and Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
