Trump’s Bold Claim: Canada Should Be the 51st State
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday that President Donald Trump still thinks Canada should become the 51st state of the U.S. She said Trump believes Canadians would benefit because the U.S. has been paying for much of Canada’s defense. Leavitt noted that Trump hasn’t changed his view, even though he hasn’t talked about it much lately. Trump has previously suggested Canada join the U.S. and jokingly called former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the “Governor of Canada.”
On trade, Leavitt said there are no new plans to help carmakers, but Trump is open to fair trade deals that put American workers first. He’s been talking with carmakers and workers who support his efforts.
On Monday, Trump said he’s considering tariff exemptions for carmakers switching to U.S.-made parts from Canada, Mexico, and other places. He said companies need some time to adjust. This follows the recent exemption of electronics like smartphones and laptops from tariffs.
During a meeting with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, Trump stressed he’s flexible in trade talks. He said he doesn’t change his mind but is willing to find solutions, like going around obstacles, to avoid hurting anyone. His goal is to make the U.S. stronger.
Why Does Trump Believe Canada Should Become the 51st State?
Trump’s stance, as reiterated by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, stems from his belief that the U.S. subsidizes Canada’s national defense, implying Canada benefits from American military protection without contributing enough. He argues that making Canada a U.S. state would streamline this relationship, giving Canadians access to U.S. economic and security benefits while reducing the U.S.’s burden. His past comments, like calling former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the “Governor of Canada,” suggest he sees Canada’s sovereignty as less significant than U.S. influence, possibly viewing annexation as a way to strengthen American dominance in North America.
Critical Perspective: This view oversimplifies complex international relations. Canada, a NATO ally, contributes to collective defense, though its military spending (around 1.4% of GDP in 2024) is below the NATO target of 2%. The U.S. does bear a larger defense burden, but Canada’s strategic position and trade partnership (via agreements like USMCA) already benefit the U.S. Trump’s rhetoric may be less about annexation and more about pressuring Canada to align closer with U.S. interests, especially on trade and defense spending. His provocative style often aims to spark negotiation leverage rather than propose literal policy.
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