Trump Suggests Canada as 51st State, Slams Trade Policies

U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his criticism of Canada’s trade policies, claiming they are unfair to the U.S. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Trump suggested that if Canada became the 51st state, it would benefit from lower taxes and increased U.S. military protection.

“Canada has been very bad to us on trade. But now Canada is going to have to start paying up. They rely on our military for security, yet contribute very little,” Trump said.

Trump Criticizes Canada’s Trade Policies

Trump accused Canada of causing financial harm to the U.S., citing an alleged $200 billion annual trade deficit. He questioned why the U.S. should continue subsidizing Canada without it being part of the country.

“Why would we pay $200 billion in subsidies to Canada when they’re not a state? You do that for a state, not for another country,” he stated.

Trump Mocks Trudeau, Pauses Tariffs

Trump has frequently targeted outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, mockingly referring to him as the “Governor of Canada.” Earlier this month, he imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports but later paused it for 30 days, citing commitments to improved border security.

Trump Also Targets the European Union

In addition to criticizing Canada, Trump also accused the European Union of being harsh on U.S. companies, particularly in the tech and airline industries.

“The European Union has been brutal on trade. They sued Apple, Google, Facebook, and airlines have complained about excessive fees,” Trump stated.

What’s Next?

Trump’s remarks have sparked reactions from both Canada and Europe, with experts debating the feasibility of his proposal. The issue is likely to remain a key topic in U.S.-Canada trade relations.