When President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on several countries including Canada, he indicated that it was not a negotiation tactic and there was essentially nothing the nations could do to avoid the added costs.
Trump says there is nothing China, Canada or Mexico can do to prevent tariffs from being implemented tomorrow:
“It’s a pure economic — we have big deficits with…all three of them…we’ll possibly very substantially increase it, or not, we’ll see how it is” pic.twitter.com/Oq1Hzjtwnp
— JM Rieger (@RiegerReport) January 31, 2025
This week, however, he did promote one path that would allow America’s neighbor to the north to avoid the tariffs.
According to Fox News:
President Donald Trump repeated his suggestion that Canada become the 51st on Sunday, noting that it would not be subjected to his incoming tariffs should the country join the U.S.
“We pay hundreds of Billions of Dollars to SUBSIDIZE Canada. Why? There is no reason,” Trump wrote on TRUTH Social. “We don’t need anything they have. We have unlimited Energy, should make our own Cars, and have more Lumber than we can ever use. Without this massive subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country. Harsh but true!”
“Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State,” Trump added. “Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada – AND NO TARIFFS!”
ADVERTISEMENTTrump has for weeks suggested the United States should take control of Canada through economic pressure.
We pay hundreds of Billions of Dollars to SUBSIDIZE Canada. Why? There is no reason. We don’t need anything they have. We have unlimited Energy, should make our own Cars, and have more Lumber than we can ever use. Without this massive subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a viable…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) February 2, 2025
Trump’s rhetoric about Canada becoming the 51st state has sparked a range of reactions on social media:
If President Trump wants it then I KNOW HE KNOWS what he is doing. So I’m ok with it.
— Tina Mc (@Tinamc53) February 2, 2025
Only if your first order of business is to kick Trudeau out of office. Personally, I favor getting Greenland instead. We can get them at a bargain basement price of 50 billion. How much is Canada going to hold us hostage for?
— Denise Minacapelli (@Minabird48) February 2, 2025
Reuters covered remarks Trump made shortly before the tariffs were scheduled to be implemented:
Trump has been threatening the tariffs for weeks, saying they would be imposed on Feb. 1 and remain in place until the countries did more to stem the flow of both migrants and fentanyl over the U.S. border.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office as he was signing executive orders, Trump said he understood the duties could result in higher costs being passed on to consumers and acknowledged his actions may cause disruptions in the short term. Most economists estimate such sweeping import taxes, and the likely retaliation, would disrupt economic activity around the globe.
Asked if there was any opportunity at this stage for the three top U.S. trading partners to win a delay, Trump said: “No, no. Not right now, no.”
He brushed away the notion his threats for levies have been a bargaining tool. “No, it’s not … we have big (trade) deficits with, as you know, with all three of them.”
“It’s something we’re doing, and we’ll possibly very substantially increase it, or not, we’ll see how it is,” Trump said. “But it’s a lot of money coming to the United States.”
Trump’s latest push to annex Canada came after that nation’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced retaliatory measures against the U.S.:
