Trump Again Suggests Canada Should Become 51st US State

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday has suggested that Canada should become the 51st state of the United States, arguing that it would eliminate tariffs and national security costs.

In a social media post, Trump said the US was effectively subsidising Canada’s defence by over $200 billion a year and that the arrangement “cannot continue.”

This suggestion comes after the US administration raised tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50%. The increase was a response to Ontario’s decision to raise electricity surcharges affecting northern U.S. states. Trump argued that if Canada became part of the US, it could bypass these tariffs while benefiting from lower taxes and stronger security.

Trump claimed that integrating Canada into the US would reduce taxes for Canadians, strengthen military security, and remove border-related issues. He said such a move would make the US “bigger, better, and stronger,” with Canada playing a key role in that expansion.

Canada has repeatedly dismissed any suggestion of joining the US, insisting on maintaining its sovereignty. The country’s political leadership has rejected the idea, making it clear that becoming an American state is not an option.

Since winning the US presidential election last November, Trump has made several remarks about Canada’s status, including questioning the validity of the border treaty between the two nations. Last month, The New York Times reported that he had told outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that he did not recognise the agreement.

Trump’s repeated references to Canada as a potential 51st state and his remarks about Trudeau being a “governor” rather than a prime minister have drawn criticism within Canada. The comments have frustrated Canadian officials and sparked broader concerns over the future of US-Canada relations.