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This time, US President-elect Donald Trump claimed that it was Canadians who want Canada to become America’s 51st state
Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau (Image: Reuters/File)
Amid a worsening government crisis in Canada, US President-elect Donald Trump reprised his “51st state” joke poking more fun at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. This time, he claimed that it was Canadians who want Canada to become America’s 51st state.
Trump, who has mocked Trudeau before by calling him “Governor Trudeau of State of Canada”, made the new claim on Truth Social. “No one can answer why we subsidize Canada to the tune of over $100,000,000 a year? Makes no sense! Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State. They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st State!!!”
At a time when the Canadian prime minister is facing the threat of being ousted with the opposition up in arms against him, Trump has found the right moment to stoke political mayhem. But, this bullying can be seen as an insult to America’s longtime ally, especially given Trump’s willingness to interfere in their domestic politics.
WHAT IS THE TRUDEAU CRISIS?
Political mayhem aside, Donald Trump’s tariff threats have led Justin Trudeau’s increasingly unpopular administration to come apart at the seams over how to manage them.
The incoming American president has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tax on all products entering the US from Canada and Mexico unless the neighbours stem the numbers of migrants and drugs. The statement shows a much larger deficit than expected for the fiscal year and more than a billion for border security.
Trudeau now faces the biggest test of his political career after one of his most powerful and loyal ministers, Chrystia Freeland, resigned from the cabinet on Monday (December 17). His popularity has plummeted due to concerns about inflation and immigration in the last 10 years.
But, Trump only seems to be making it worse for him as he had a lot to say about Freeland’s resignation. “The Great State of Canada is stunned as the Finance Minister resigns, or was fired, from her position by Governor Justin Trudeau,” he posted on Truth Social. “Her behavior was totally toxic, and not at all conducive to making deals which are good for the very unhappy citizens of Canada. She will not be missed!!!”
Trudeau swiftly named longtime ally and close friend Dominic LeBlanc, the public safety minister who recently joined him at dinner with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, to replace Freeland. After being sworn in, LeBlanc told reporters that he and Trudeau are focused on finding common ground with Trump on border security and economic issues.