After all, why wouldn’t Canada become 51e American state? If most Canadians take this little phrase from Donald Trump as a joke, it continues to get people talking, worrying some and annoying others.
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Earlier in the week, the future American president had mocked the Canadian prime minister, calling him “governor” in his Truth Social network, a title designating in the United States the head of the executive of a federated state.
A mockery that follows Donald Trump’s comments on the possibility of Canada becoming 51e American state, so as not to be imposed higher customs duties, according to the conservative channel Fox News.
In 1973, the bestselling novel Ultimatumwritten by Richard Rohmer, recounted an American attempt to annex Canada after an announcement of increases in customs duties.
In this dystopia, just as in real life, the American president was Richard Nixon, while the Canadian prime minister was Pierre Elliott Trudeau, the father of the current leader, Justin Trudeau.
Although both politicians have long since died, for Richard Rohmer, Donald Trump’s remarks, insinuating that Canada could be absorbed by the United States, should not be taken lightly.
“It must be taken seriously,” said the 101-year-old writer, veteran of the landings, to AFP. “He is a man full of imagination who knows what he is doing regarding Canada.”
“Humiliating” remarks
Since then, north of the border, we have been wondering about these repeated barbs. If some believe that “Trump is being Trump,” this nevertheless struck a sensitive chord.
The Canadian Prime Minister, concerned about a possible drastic increase in customs duties, did not publicly respond to the American’s mockery.
But some political leaders did not hesitate. Thus, the former Prime Minister of Quebec, Jean Charest, sharply warned Donald Trump to “think twice before invading Canada”.
The latter even alluded to the War of 1812 between the two countries, when American advances on Canadian territory ended in defeat… and the burning of the White House.
However, in Canada, a poll carried out this week by the Léger Institute shows that 13% of Canadians would like their country to become a state of the United States.
For Laura Stephenson, a political science professor at Western University, Trump’s thoughts represent an escalation from his threat to raise tariffs.
“It’s another world. Talking about annexation is not the same as saying ‘I’m going to harm your industry’,” says the researcher.
If a direct confrontation with the United States seems unthinkable to her, she nevertheless believes that such mockery is “humiliating” for Canadians.
Especially since, according to the professor, many Canadians define themselves in opposition to Americans and Donald Trump’s barbs “have all sorts of implications for Canadian identity.”
Patriotism
Conversely, for his colleague at the University of Toronto, Renan Levine, Donald Trump’s outbursts could be a “good sign” for Canadians, highlighting collusion with Justin Trudeau.
“It basically sends the following message: ‘I have a certain level of familiarity with you, and we can joke together’,” explains Renan Levine to AFP.
Richard Rohmer hopes that this confrontation will awaken the patriotism of his country. According to him, this is one of the keys to the success of his book. The novel had touched the national pride of Canadians, usually very little expressed.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland responded to Mr. Trump’s mockery by explaining that Canada was “the best country in the world.”
Is this an opportunity for the country to raise its head against its powerful neighbor? Richard Rohmer thinks so: “We should do it, but I have no idea how.”
