On the verge of a federal election, Canadians are gearing up to cast their votes. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed President Donald Trump’s controversial comments regarding the idea of Canada potentially becoming the “51st state.”
In a discussion on NBC’s Meet the Press on April 27, host Kristen Welker questioned Rubio about the State Department’s response to Trump’s claims about annexing Canada. “Are there any actions being taken to make that happen?” she asked.
Rubio elaborated, saying, “The President often refers to a conversation with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in which Trudeau purportedly indicated that Canada couldn’t prosper without unfair trade practices with the U.S. In light of that, Trump suggested that if Canada is unable to thrive without such trade, it might be worth considering statehood.”
When asked if the U.S. still aims to make Canada the 51st state, Rubio responded, “The President has consistently voiced his belief that Canada would be better off as a state.”
Rubio’s comments come in the wake of a tense exchange between Trump and Trudeau regarding the economic strain caused by Trump’s tariffs. In retaliation, Canada has instituted a 25% tariff on specific U.S. imports.
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Trump has frequently hinted at the idea of Canada becoming a U.S. state, mentioning in February that if Trudeau could propose a solution to the tariff issues, he wouldn’t need to worry about tariffs as a state.
“I see Canada as potentially becoming our 51st state,” Trump stated. “If everyone played their cards right, it could be a certainty.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada has also responded to Trump’s ongoing remarks about potential annexation, revealing that Trump brought this up during a phone call in March. At a campaign press event, Carney stressed, “To be clear, I have made it known to everyone, including the President, that this will never take place.”
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In an April 22 interview with TIME, Trump reiterated that he was “not joking” about the concept of Canada as the 51st state, insisting that the U.S. has no real dependency on Canada.
“We provide for their defense and manage various elements of their economy. We don’t rely on them for car manufacturing or lumber; we can manage that ourselves. The only logical solution for both sides is for Canada to become a state,” Trump remarked.
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Trudeau, who plans to step down as leader of the Liberal Party in January, has previously advised lawmakers and business leaders to take the prospect of annexation seriously. At a Canada-U.S. Economic Summit in Toronto, he indicated that Trump might be interested in Canada’s rich mineral resources. “Trump appears to believe that the easiest way to access those resources is through annexation, and that’s a legitimate concern,” he stated.
Rubio’s latest comments emerge just a day before Canada’s federal election on April 28, which could introduce a new leader to engage with the U.S. on tariff negotiations. The ongoing debate about Trump has had a significant influence on the Canadian elections, with the Liberal Party harnessing a wave of national sentiment stemming from trade disputes. The incoming leader will play a vital role in determining Canada’s future relationship with the United States.
“They’re about to select a new leader. We will adjust to whoever takes charge in Canada,” Rubio remarked. “While there are many opportunities for collaboration, we’re not satisfied with their treatment of us on trade, a sentiment the President has shared with the former Prime Minister.”
