President-elect Donald Trump has reignited his proposal to make Canada the “51st state of the United States,” just hours after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation.
In a surprising announcement on Monday, January 6, Trudeau declared the end of his 11-year leadership career, including nine years as Prime Minister. The 53-year-old leader stepped down under mounting pressure from his Liberal Party, driven by his declining popularity. However, Trudeau confirmed he would remain in office until a new party leader is chosen ahead of the general elections.
Amid Canada’s political turbulence, Trump, who had a contentious relationship with Trudeau during his first presidency (2017–2021), renewed his controversial proposal shortly after the resignation was made public.
“Many people in Canada love being the 51st State. The United States can no longer suffer the massive Trade Deficits and Subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this and resigned,” Trump said on Truth Social.
“If Canada merged with the US, there would be no tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be secure from the threat of Russian and Chinese ships that are constantly surrounding them. Together, what a great Nation it would be!” he added.
Trump Criticized Canada’s Security Policies
Trump intensified his rhetoric since meeting Trudeau in November 2024 at Mar-a-Lago following his electoral victory. During the meeting, Trump reportedly mocked Trudeau as the “Governor of the Great State of Canada,” a jab he has repeated in social media posts.
The Canadian government has yet to formally address Trump’s remarks, but his statements have fueled debate about the increasingly strained US-Canada relationship. Trump also criticized Trudeau’s administration for its handling of illegal migration and drug trafficking into the United States, threatening a 25% tariff on Canadian imports if these issues are not resolved.
Citing a Canadian Customs and Border Protection Service report, Trump pointed to the apprehension of 358 individuals on terror watch lists attempting to cross into the U.S. from Canada in the 2024 fiscal year as evidence of Trudeau’s “lax policies” on national security.
