Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s political survival appears fragile after the resignation of his Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, who cited irreconcilable differences over the country’s response to Donald Trump’s tariffs.
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The American president-elect Donald Trump joked that it would be a “great idea” for Canada to become the 51st state of the United Statesas Canadian leader Justin Trudeau faces a major political crisis.
“Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st state”Donald Trump said on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday. “They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it’s a great idea. 51st State!!!”.
Donald Trump made the same joke during a dinner at his Mar-a-Lago residence in late November, drawing laughter from the audience.
Selon Fox News, the president-elect suggested that the merger of the two countries would address his concerns about fentanyl trafficking and stem illegal migration flowsa problem which mainly affects the southern border of the United States.
Since this comment, Donald Trump has called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “governor” of Canada on its electoral platform, a title normally used by American state leaders.
According to a recent survey, 13% of Canadians would like their country to become an American state.
Serious political crisis in Canada
Donald Trump’s comments come as Justin Trudeau is in turmoil after the surprise resignation of his Finance Minister, Chrystia Freelandone of her long-time allies.
The latter disagreed with the Prime Minister over the recent announcement of a tax exemption and the sending of checks for 250 Canadian dollars (€168) to taxpayers in the country, which Chrystia Freeland described as “expensive political gadget”.
The former Minister of Finance believes that Canada cannot afford such measures in the context of the threat made by Donald Trump in November to impose 25% customs duties on the country.
“Our country faces a serious challenge”writes Chrystia Freeland in her resignation letter. “We must preserve our fiscal capacity today, so that we can have the reserves we may need during a tariff war”.
Following the departure of Chrystia Freeland, members of Justin Trudeau’s Liberal party called on him to resign, as did the three leaders of Canada’s opposition parties.
“Everything is spiraling out of control. We simply cannot continue like this”declared Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, which is calling for early federal elections.
The threat of Donald Trump’s tariffs
In November, Donald Trump said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the country from Canada and Mexico.
Economists have warned that such tariffs would significantly harm the Canadian economy.
Canada accounted for some $437 billion (420 billion euros) in U.S. imports in 2022, and was also the largest market for exports from the United States that same year, according to U.S. government data.
ADVERTISEMENTCanada sends approximately 75% of its total exports to the United States.
“The things we sell to the United States are the things they really need”Chrystia Freeland said after Donald Trump’s announcement in November. “We sell them oil, we sell them electricity, we sell them essential minerals and metals”.
