TORONTO — Comments made by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump suggesting that Canada should become the 51st state are no longer being taken lightly, according to Canada’s finance minister. Dominic LeBlanc, who is responsible for U.S.-Canada relations, noted that Trump initially made these remarks in a light-hearted manner during a dinner at Mar-a-Lago with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last November. However, LeBlanc believes that the implications of these comments extend beyond mere joking. He stated, “The joke is over,” suggesting that such statements are meant to create confusion and unrest, though he also noted that the idea of Canada joining the U.S. would never actually materialize.
Trump has consistently raised this idea, and during a recent speech, he remarked that he wouldn’t consider military action to make this a reality. Instead, he stated that he would utilize “economic force,” misrepresenting the trade deficit with Canada as a form of subsidy, despite Canada being rich in natural resources and a significant supplier of oil and other commodities to the U.S.
LeBlanc criticized Trump’s approach, stating, “It’s becoming very counterproductive.” In the face of potential tariffs that Trump has threatened—up to 25% on Canadian goods—LeBlanc has been in discussions with incoming Trump administration officials to enhance border security. LeBlanc took up his current position after a sudden resignation from the previous finance minister and announced he would not seek to replace Trudeau to better handle the looming tariff situation. Trudeau has also indicated his decision to step down as prime minister and will remain in office until a new Liberal party leader is appointed.
Liberal lawmaker Judy Sgro expressed concerns over the timing of the leadership change amidst the tariff threats, stating, “The timing is awful for sure. But we will do what we have to do to ensure that Canada stands strong.” When asked about Trump’s declarations, she urged him to focus on his own domestic challenges instead of targeting Canada.
Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller labeled Trump’s comments as “ridiculous,” firmly stating that Canada would never become the 51st state. Miller compared the situation to a storyline from the satirical show “South Park,” illustrating the absurdity he perceives in Trump’s statements. Meanwhile, Trump has also hinted at the possibility of acquiring territories like Greenland and the Panama Canal through military means, insisting that the U.S. has little need for various Canadian exports.
Responding to Trump’s claims, Ontario Premier Doug Ford emphasized the critical role Canada plays in supplying energy to the U.S., particularly noting that Canada accounts for 60% of U.S. oil imports. Alberta alone exports approximately 4.3 million barrels of crude oil per day, a significant portion given that the U.S. consumes around 20 million barrels daily, producing about 13.2 million of that domestically.
Ford mentioned that if tariffs are enacted, Canada would retaliate by targeting a variety of U.S. products without going into specifics. Canada is also a leading foreign provider of steel, aluminum, and uranium to the U.S., as well as holding numerous critical minerals sought after for national security concerns.
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly remarked on the necessity of remaining vigilant in these discussions, stating, “At the same time we can’t take the bait,” and underscored the importance of demonstrating Canada’s economic strength and resilience against any notion of annexation.
