Daijiworld Media Network - Ottawa
Ottawa, Jan 8: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau strongly dismissed US president-elect Donald Trump’s recent remarks about using ‘economic force’ to merge Canada with the United States.
“There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,” Trudeau declared on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.
Highlighting the value of the existing partnership, he added, “Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other’s biggest trading and security partner.”
Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly echoed Trudeau's sentiments, accusing Trump of showing "a complete lack of understanding" of Canada.
“Our economy is strong. Our people are strong. We will never back down in the face of threats,” Joly stated, firmly rejecting Trump’s comments.
Trump’s controversial proposal
The controversy erupted after Trump, speaking at a press conference in Florida, suggested eliminating the US - Canada border for national security and economic benefits. He argued that Canada relies on US military strength and floated the idea of merging the nations, asserting it would be a win-win for both countries.
"You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like," Trump said. However, he emphasized that military action was off the table, stating he would use "economic force" to push his agenda.
Trump also raised concerns about Canada’s defense spending, saying, “They have a very small military. They rely on our military... They’ve got to pay for that.”
Canada stands its ground
The Trudeau government firmly rejected Trump’s rhetoric, emphasizing Canada’s sovereignty and economic resilience. While Trudeau announced enhanced border security measures in response to earlier US demands, he warned of imposing counter-tariffs should Trump escalate the situation.
Canada and the US share a robust economic relationship, with trade exceeding $1 trillion annually. Nearly C$3.6 billion ($2.5 billion) worth of goods and services crossed their shared border daily in 2023. Experts suggest that heightened tariffs or economic sanctions could significantly impact Canada’s economy.
Political tensions ahead
With Trump set to take office on January 20, tensions between the two nations are expected to intensify. His repeated references to Canada as the potential “51st state” have fueled concerns about the future of US - Canada relations.
For now, Canada’s leaders are resolute in their stance: “We will never compromise on our sovereignty or our principles,” said Joly.