U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed his claim that Canada will eventually become America’s 51st state, using a campaign rally in Arizona to criticize Canadian trade policies and question the economic relationship between the two countries.
Speaking to supporters in Bullhead City on Wednesday, Trump accused Canada of treating the United States unfairly. He singled out Canadian dairy tariffs, discussed automakers relocating production to the United States and floated the idea of renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America.”
Trump argued that Canada depends more heavily on the United States than the other way around, presenting statehood as the eventual outcome. He also compared Canada with Greenland while suggesting that American territory could expand.
His remarks came amid continuing trade friction and a separate controversy over Canadian politicians’ comments ahead of November’s U.S. midterm elections.
Pete Hoekstra, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, suggested that statements about targeting American states with retaliatory tariffs could be interpreted as interference in U.S. politics. During an interview on “The Really Big Show” podcast, he referred to Industry Minister Mélanie Joly’s August explanation that Canada’s countermeasures were designed to affect particular states.
The issue has drawn attention in closely contested races, including Michigan, where Democrats have linked Trump’s tariffs to rising living costs.
Trump himself has also weighed in on political contests abroad. He recently called for a change in Ukraine’s leadership, supported Flavio Bolsonaro in Brazil’s presidential election and backed Viktor Orban before the Hungarian leader’s election defeat in April.
Canadian leaders have repeatedly rejected suggestions that the country could become part of the United States.
Following Canada’s announcement of additional retaliatory tariffs in September, British Columbia Premier David Eby said his province would place signs at American border crossings affirming that it would never become the 51st state.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also invoked the statehood idea last month while criticizing Ontario, following Prime Minister Mark Carney’s demand for a more serious American approach to trade negotiations.
Trump previously revived the proposal in June after Canada entered a technical recession, prompting criticism from Canadian officials.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded by reaffirming that Canada’s sovereignty was not for sale and that joining the United States would never happen.