WASHINGTON — In a recent interview aired during the Super Bowl preshow, President Donald Trump conveyed his serious intent regarding Canada potentially becoming the 51st state. When asked by Fox News’ Bret Baier if the idea of annexing Canada was genuine, Trump confirmed, saying, “Yeah, it is.” The president articulated that the U.S. faces significant economic losses, claiming a yearly deficit of $200 billion with Canada, a situation he aims to change. “I think Canada would be much better off being the 51st state because we lose $200 billion a year with Canada,” he stated, questioning why the U.S. should essentially subsidize Canada.
Contrary to Trump’s statements, the economic relationship between the U.S. and Canada is not one of subsidization. The U.S. imports various natural resources, including oil, from Canada. While the trade deficit in goods has surged to $72 billion in 2023, this largely stems from America’s considerable imports of Canadian energy resources. Historically, Trump has suggested that Canada would be in a better position as a U.S. state, an idea that is largely unpopular among the Canadian populace.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has expressed concern about Trump’s comments, suggesting that there are underlying motives related to access to natural resources. Trudeau indicated in a private meeting with business and labor representatives that Trump views absorbing Canada as a straightforward approach, stating, “They’re very aware of our resources and what we have, and they very much want to be able to benefit from those.”
During his journey to the Super Bowl in New Orleans, Trump did not hesitate to threaten actions against Canada, claiming that it relies heavily on U.S. trade and hinting that it could no longer depend on American military support. He remarked, “You know, they don’t pay very much for military. And the reason they don’t pay much is they assume that we’re going to protect them.” This assertion questions the fundamental security obligations of the U.S. in the region.
In his Fox News interview, Trump emphasized that he has not witnessed sufficient efforts from Canada and Mexico to address issues concerning tariffs. He described his previous measures as “not good enough” and insisted on the necessity for changes. Recently, Trump had agreed to postpone a proposed 25% tariff on all imports from both countries, except for Canadian oil, gas, and electricity, which would incur a 10% tax. This was contingent upon actions taken by these nations to meet his border security and drug trafficking concerns.
Onboard Air Force One, Trump announced plans for a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports from both Canada and Mexico, alongside future reciprocal tariffs. “Very simply it’s if they charge us, we charge them,” he explained further, emphasizing his stance on trade negotiations.
Trump’s participation in the Super Bowl interview played into a common tradition where presidents often engage with the network broadcasting the game. Unlike his predecessor Joe Biden, who skipped the event for two consecutive years, Trump participated in three of his four years in office. Interestingly, Trump made history as the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl in person, noting that it would be a positive gesture for the country.
While en route to the Super Bowl, Trump also issued a proclamation declaring February 9 as “the first ever Gulf of America Day,” further demonstrating his unique approach to presidential duties. He defended billionaire Elon Musk’s work with the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has raised concerns, especially from Democrats due to significant potential cuts in the federal workforce. Trump praised Musk’s efforts, claiming these could uncover vast sums of fraud and waste within government operations, saying, “I campaigned on this.”
Additionally, he touched on a light-hearted note regarding a viral meme of him dancing, admitting, “I don’t know what it is. I try and walk off sometimes without dancing and I can’t. I have to dance.”
