After recent interventions regarding the regaining of control of the Panama Canal and the purchase of Greenland for national security reasons, US President-elect Donald Trump returns to the issue of transforming Canada into the … 51st State of the US. In fact, in his new intervention, he strongly criticizes the current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the trade practices he follows, suggesting that NHL legend Wayne Gretzky run to become the next prime minister or, better yet, governor of Canada.
A meaningful Christmas message
In a post on Truth Social, Trump referred to the benefits that will arise from Canada’s integration into the US, while once again referring to the US presence in Greenland, also referring to the Panama Canal.
“Merry Christmas to everyone, including the wonderful soldiers of China who lovingly but illegally manage the Panama Canal… Also to the governor of Canada, Justin Trudeau, the taxes there are very high… But if Canada becomes our 51st state, their taxes there will be reduced by 60%, their businesses will immediately double and they will be militarily protected like no other country in the world,” Trump said.
In fact, the US president-elect also expressed his wishes to the people of Greenland, which, as he said, “the US needs them for national security reasons” and “who want the US there.” “And we will be,” Trump said.
He criticizes Trudeau. Who does he want as governor of Canada?
Trump, however, made a special reference to the case of Canada, strongly criticizing Trudeau for his trade policy, at a time when Canadians’ dissatisfaction with their prime minister is growing and while the federal election is approaching with Trudeau’s Liberals trailing Pierre Poilievre’s Socialists by up to 23 percentage points.
In fact, the US president-elect also mentioned who he would like to see as the next prime minister of Canada.
“I just met with Wayne Gretzky, the ‘Great’ as he is known in ice hockey circles,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“I said, ‘Wayne why don’t you run for prime minister of Canada, so you can soon be known as the Governor of Canada. You would win easily, you wouldn’t even have to campaign,” Trump said in his post.
It is worth noting, however, that hockey legend Wayne Gretzky has never expressed political ambitions, let alone to become prime minister of Canada. Something that Trump also admitted.
“He had no interest, but I think the people of Canada should start a Wayne Gretzky Movement. It would be a lot of fun to watch,” Trump said.
The second time in a month
It is noted that this is the second time in a month that Trump has referred to the prospect of Canada becoming the 51st state of the United States. A month ago, Trump met with Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to discuss Trump’s threats to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products. Specifically, Trump had threatened Canada – and Mexico – with 25% tariffs if they failed to successfully address the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the US.
As reported in this discussion, which Trump described as very productive, the issues of tariffs, border security and trade deficits were raised.
You failed…
Based on the information, Trump, although cordial and friendly, claimed that Canada has failed at the border with the US as it allows large quantities of drugs and a huge number of people to cross the border, including illegal immigrants from more than 70 different countries, while he claimed that the US trade deficit with Canada exceeds 100 billion dollars.
In this context, the US president-elect told Trump that if Canada cannot fix the border issues and the trade deficit, he will impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian goods on the first day he returns to office.
You are killing us
In response to this threat, Trudeau pointed out that the US cannot impose such tariffs, because it would “kill” the Canadian economy. Trump responded immediately, asking his interlocutor: “So your country can’t survive if it doesn’t ‘steal’ the United States for $100 billion?”
At this point, Trump suggested to Trudeau that Canada become the 51st State of the United States, a suggestion that caused nervous laughter from the Canadian prime minister and his staff.
Better prime minister than governor
However, Trump immediately noted, addressing Trudeau, that it is a better title to be prime minister, although one could still be governor of the 51st State. In fact, it is reported that someone told Trump that Canada in this case would be a very liberal State, which caused even more laughter from the interlocutors. The US president then noted that Canada could be divided into two states, one conservative and one liberal.
And Trump reiterated to Trudeau that if he can’t handle his list of demands, especially the trade deficit, then Canada could indeed become a state or two, and Trudeau governor. And if these jokes caused a lot of laughter among those present, sources say that Trump clearly sent his message to Trudeau, who spoke of a very positive and friendly conversation that lasted almost three hours.
Trudeau’s commitment
Trudeau reportedly promised Trump that Canada would step up controls on the common border. It is noted that Canada sends 75% of all exports of goods and services to the United States, so tariffs would seriously damage the Canadian economy.
According to Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who was at the table with Trudeau and Trump, the two men discussed the additional security measures that Canada will introduce.
Tough Talk
Both sides described the meeting as very friendly and constructive, although the two men have traded harsh words in the past. In 2022, Trump called Trudeau a “far-left lunatic” for demanding that truck drivers crossing the border be vaccinated against COVID. In June 2018, Trump walked out of the G7 summit in Quebec and accused Trudeau of being “very dishonest and weak.”
Trump is not joking
US President-elect Donald Trump’s statements about his intention to gain control of Greenland and the Panama Canal are “not funny this time” and demonstrate his intention to lead America into a policy of imperialism.
In fact, the newspaper notes that Trump “does not consider other countries’ borders sacred,” something that his stance on the Ukrainian crisis testifies to.
“Trump has made it clear on many occasions that he does not always consider other countries’ borders sacred. When the war in Ukraine broke out, his first move was to characterize President Vladimir Putin’s move as “smart.”
Even now, as he tries to negotiate a deal to end the conflict, he has never stated that Ukraine’s borders should be restored, as the US and NATO demand. He has simply promised an “agreement” to end hostilities,” the article says.
The Republican is seriously planning to annex Greenland and the Panama Canal to the United States, as a young man.
Greenland’s Strategic Importance
Arctic experts are not dismissing Trump’s Greenland proposal as a joke. Trump is interested in Greenland because of its strategic location, as melting Arctic ice opens up new opportunities for trade and maritime competition, and because of its reserves of rare earths that are essential for advanced technologies such as electric vehicles, wind turbines and other “clean” technologies.
Greenlanders’ Reactions
Greenlanders, who have long sought independence, may use Trump’s interest as an opportunity to further strengthen their economic ties with the United States. However, Greenland’s indigenous communities themselves may oppose mineral extraction.
The Panama Canal and China
Trump also seems to want to prevent China from gaining influence at the “gateway to North America.” At the same time, in the same context, he has expressed interest in the Panama Canal and concern that the canal could fall into Chinese hands. In addition, Trump may have a “lurking personal feud” with Panama. After all, in 2018, Panamanian police evicted the Trump Organization from the Trump International Hotel in Panama City, after a protracted legal dispute.
Imperialism and colonialism
The aggressive interpretation of the phrase recalls the imperialism or colonialism of President Theodore Roosevelt, who secured control of the Philippines after the Spanish-American War, but also of President William McKinley with the acquisition of Hawaii (1898) & the US Secretary of State William H. Seward who purchased Alaska (1867). It reflects the instincts of a real estate investor who suddenly has the power of the largest military in the world to support his negotiating strategy.. It reflects the instincts of a real estate investor who suddenly has the power of the world’s largest army to back his negotiating strategy.
