Trump Renews Claim Canada Will Become 51st US State Amid Trade Tensions

United States President Donald Trump has renewed his controversial suggestion that Canada could become the 51st state of the US, citing trade disputes and what he described as unfair economic treatment by its northern neighbour.

Trump made the remarks on Wednesday during a rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, where he criticised Canada's tariffs on American products and discussed the relocation of automobile manufacturing to the United States.

“Canada treats us very badly. They always have. Not anymore. It's a whole different ball game now that Trump is in town,” he said, according to CTV News.

The US president specifically criticised Canada's restrictions on American dairy products, claiming that the country imposed tariffs on imports beyond a limited quantity of milk.

“They'll end up being the 51st state, because that's the only way it works,” Trump said, adding that the United States did not need Canada as much as Canada needed America.

Trump also questioned why Washington should spend billions of dollars supporting a country that, in his view, was not part of the United States.

He compared his comments about Canada with his interest in Greenland, suggesting that Canada could eventually face a similar situation.

“They'll be doing something just like Greenland,” he said, adding that America's territory and influence were continuing to expand.

The president also floated the idea of renaming Lake Ontario as “Lake America” while discussing his longstanding grievances against Canada.

Trade Tensions Between Washington and Ottawa

Trump's latest remarks come amid continuing trade tensions between the United States and Canada. Canadian officials have repeatedly rejected suggestions that their country could become part of the US, insisting that Canada's sovereignty is not negotiable.

In September, following Canada's announcement of additional retaliatory tariffs on American goods, British Columbia Premier David Eby said the province would install signs at US border crossings declaring that Canada would “never the 51st state.”

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also made a similar remark about Ontario last month, referring to the province as one of America's potential states. His comments followed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's call for the Trump administration to take trade negotiations seriously.

Trump revived his proposal in June when Canada was facing economic difficulties, with some economists suggesting that the country's economic conditions met the definition of a technical recession.

The proposal attracted criticism from Canadian political leaders, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who accused Trump of making provocative remarks and insisted that Canadian sovereignty was not for sale.

“I can tell President Trump that will never, ever happen,” Ford said.

Despite Trump's repeated comments, Canadian officials have consistently rejected the prospect of Canada joining the United States.