Trump Says Canada Would Be ‘Better Off’ as the 51st U.S. State
U.S. President Donald Trump has once again floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state, claiming—without evidence—that the U.S. is “paying $200 billion a year” to its northern neighbor.
In a Fox News interview with anchor Bret Baier, Trump insisted that Canada would benefit from statehood and suggested he’d be willing to “subsidize” the country—seemingly referring to the U.S. trade deficit with Canada.
Despite Trump’s claims, Statistics Canada reported that Canada had a $94.4 billion trade surplus with the U.S. in 2023, driven largely by oil exports. There is no public data supporting Trump’s $200 billion claim.
Trump’s remarks came just days after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned business leaders that the U.S. president is serious about his desire to absorb Canada into the U.S.
Trump had previously threatened a 25% tariff on Canadian goods over border security concerns, specifically fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration. However, his latest comments suggest his focus remains on trade and economic issues.
With Trump actively campaigning for a second term in the 2024 U.S. election, his vision for Canada’s future within the U.S. is once again sparking political debate on both sides of the border.