Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has once again firmly dismissed the notion of Canada becoming the 51st state of the United States. In an appearance on MSNBC’s Inside with Jen Psaki on Sunday, Trudeau stated unequivocally, “It’s not going to happen.”

The Prime Minister was responding to repeated comments made by President-Elect Donald Trump, who has floated the idea of annexing Canada in recent speeches. Trump, a known negotiator, has suggested that eliminating the “artificially drawn line” between Canada and the U.S. would improve national security and be a positive step for both countries. At a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump went so far as to call Trudeau “Governor Trudeau,” a term typically used for U.S. state leaders, fueling speculation about potential annexation.

Trudeau, unfazed by the remarks, brushed off the idea, choosing to focus on the more substantial issues at hand rather than on personal jabs. He remarked, “I tend to focus on the substantive things, and not on people choosing nicknames for me. I mean, if I was that thin-skinned I probably wouldn’t last that long in politics.”

Amid these public comments, Trudeau’s leadership is facing growing challenges. His Liberal Party has been struggling in the polls ahead of the upcoming national election, and he recently announced that he would step down in March after his party elects a new leader.

Courtesy: MSNBC

While Trump’s remarks on annexing Canada have sparked controversy, Trudeau has remained steadfast in his commitment to Canada’s sovereignty and independence. The Canadian Prime Minister’s response reflects his resolve to maintain the country’s autonomy despite the ongoing attention surrounding these speculative comments.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has once again reaffirmed that Canada has no interest in becoming the 51st state of the United States, stressing that the decision ultimately comes down to one key factor: the will of the Canadian people. In his recent comments, Trudeau pointed out that when Canadians define their national identity, they are quick to say, “We’re not Americans,” making it clear that they take pride in their independence.

Earlier this week, Trudeau was even more blunt, stating that there was “not a snowball’s chance in hell” that Canada and the U.S. would ever merge into one nation. While the idea of annexation continues to surface in President-Elect Donald Trump’s speeches, Trudeau’s remarks underscored that the concept has little support among the Canadian public.

Beyond these political jabs, Trudeau’s main concern remains the growing tension between the two nations over tariffs. Trump’s announcement of plans to implement 25% tariffs on Canadian goods has escalated tensions, with fears that the move could severely impact Canada’s economy. Trudeau expressed concern over the economic ramifications, saying, “Canadians are incredibly proud of being Canadian, but people are now talking about that rather than the impact of 25 percent tariffs.” He also pointed out that such a tariff would be detrimental to both countries, highlighting that no American wants to pay 25% more for electricity or oil and gas imports from Canada.

The topic of trade and energy partnerships also surfaced as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith shared that she had met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate over the weekend. The discussions focused on the importance of U.S.-Canada energy cooperation, as Alberta remains a major oil and gas exporter to the U.S.

As the two countries navigate these complex issues, Trudeau’s position remains clear: Canada values its sovereignty and the relationship with its southern neighbor, but any potential moves towards closer integration or annexation will remain off the table.

Courtesy: CBC News: The National

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