Canada’s New Prime Minister Blasts Trump’s ‘51st State’ Remark as ‘Crazy’

Canada’s newly elected Prime Minister wasted no time responding to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that Canada could become the 51st state of the United States. In a press conference on Monday, the Canadian leader dismissed Trump’s remarks as “crazy,” emphasizing Canada’s sovereignty and independence.

“The idea that Canada would ever become the 51st state is not just absurd—it’s crazy,” the Prime Minister said. “We are a proud, independent nation, and that’s not changing.”

The response comes after Trump, speaking at a rally over the weekend, joked that Canada was “basically already part of the United States” and that if it ever wanted to become the 51st state, “we’d be happy to have them.” While Trump’s tone appeared somewhat playful, his comments sparked outrage in Canada, where concerns over American influence have long been a sensitive topic.

The new Prime Minister, who took office following a recent federal election, was not the only one to criticize Trump’s remarks. Canadian politicians from across the political spectrum quickly denounced the idea, making it clear that Canada has no interest in being absorbed into the United States.

“Canada is not for sale. We are not looking to become an American state, nor will we ever,” said the country’s Foreign Minister. “These kinds of statements only fuel unnecessary tensions between our two nations.”

The opposition leader also chimed in, calling Trump’s words “insulting” and warning Canadians not to take them lightly. “Even if Trump was joking, this kind of rhetoric is dangerous. It plays into a narrative that undermines Canada’s sovereignty,” he said.

This is not the first time Trump has made controversial remarks about Canada. During his presidency, he frequently clashed with Canadian leaders over trade policies, particularly regarding tariffs on steel, aluminum, and dairy products.

Trump once called Canada’s trade policies “unfair” and even referred to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “very dishonest and weak” after a tense G7 summit in 2018. The relationship between the two countries has often been strained under Trump’s leadership, despite Canada being one of the United States’ closest allies and largest trading partners.

His latest comments, however, have reignited fears among Canadians that Trump’s vision of North America includes a diminished role for their country as an independent nation.

The public reaction in Canada was swift, with many citizens taking to social media to express their frustration. The hashtag #CanadaNot51 trended on Twitter, as Canadians pushed back against Trump’s assertion.

“We have our own government, our own values, and our own way of life. We don’t need to be part of the U.S.,” one user wrote.

Another person tweeted: “Trump can keep his 51st state nonsense. Canada is stronger, freer, and more progressive than the U.S. in so many ways.”

Political analysts in Canada also weighed in, with some calling Trump’s remarks an attempt to stoke nationalist sentiment among his base. “Trump knows these kinds of statements will fire up his supporters and make them feel powerful,” said one political commentator. “But in Canada, it just reinforces why so many people are wary of his influence.”

The Biden administration was quick to distance itself from Trump’s comments. A White House spokesperson reiterated that Canada and the U.S. have a strong, respectful partnership and that there are no discussions about Canada becoming part of the U.S.

“The United States deeply values its relationship with Canada as a sovereign and independent nation,” the spokesperson said. “Our focus remains on working together as partners, not on any kind of political union.”

Even some Republicans dismissed Trump’s comments, with a few GOP lawmakers stating that the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state is unrealistic. “I love Canada, but this is just not a serious conversation,” one Republican senator told reporters.

While Trump’s comments may have been intended as a joke, they could still have diplomatic consequences. Relations between Canada and the U.S. have remained stable under President Joe Biden, but Trump’s remarks risk inflaming tensions just as the two countries work on key economic and security agreements.

Experts warn that even offhand remarks like these can be damaging in the long run. “It might seem like a joke to some Americans, but to Canadians, it’s a reminder that some in the U.S. don’t respect their sovereignty,” said an international relations professor.

Despite Trump’s remarks, the Canadian Prime Minister made it clear that his government would not engage in further discussion on the topic.

“This is a distraction, and frankly, it’s beneath us,” the Prime Minister said. “Canada will always be Canada. End of story.”

For now, Trump’s “51st state” comments may remain just that—comments. But as he continues his 2024 campaign, his words will undoubtedly continue to spark debate and, in some cases, backlash from America’s closest allies.