CANADIAN Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has strongly rejected US President-elect Donald Trump’s idea of merging Canada with the United States.
In a bold statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Trudeau firmly declared that such a proposal is impossible, writing, “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.”
The Canadian leader emphasised the importance of the strong trade and security partnership between the two nations, adding that workers and communities in both countries greatly benefit from the existing relationship.
His remarks came after Trump suggested he could use “economic force” to absorb Canada into the United States.
Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly backed Trudeau’s stance, vowing that the country would never yield to threats. She accused Trump of displaying a lack of understanding about Canada and asserted the nation’s strength and independence.
“Our economy is strong. Our people are strong. We will never back down in the face of threats,” Joly said.
The controversy began after Trump, speaking from his Florida Mar-a-Lago residence, floated the idea of removing what he called “artificially drawn lines” between the two countries.
Trump claimed that merging Canada and the United States would improve national security and criticised Canada’s reliance on American military support. While dismissing the idea of military intervention, he indicated he would use economic leverage to pursue his vision.
Trump’s remarks followed Trudeau’s recent announcement that he would step down as the leader of the Liberal Party and prime minister.
The US president-elect suggested that Canada’s small military and lack of significant contributions to shared defence responsibilities were unfair, further straining relations between the two nations.
In the weeks since his election, Trump has repeatedly hinted at the idea of Canada becoming the “51st US state.” He has also threatened to impose tariffs of up to 25% on Canadian goods unless the country tightened security at the border and reduced the flow of illegal drugs and immigrants into the US.
The Trudeau government responded by pledging stricter border measures while warning of potential counter-tariffs if the US pursued such threats.
Canada and the United States share one of the world’s largest trade partnerships, with nearly CAD 3.6 billion ($2.5 billion) in goods and services crossing the border daily, according to Canadian government data.
Experts warn that Trump’s economic threats, if enacted after he assumes office on January 20, could significantly impact Canada’s economy.
