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Trudeau Rejects Trump’s “51st State” Proposal, Criticizes Looming Tariff Threats

Canada’s outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s suggestion that Canada could become America’s “51st state,” calling it a diversion from the more pressing issue of proposed tariffs on Canadian imports.

Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods, a move Trudeau argues would hurt American consumers. Speaking to MSNBC, Trudeau stated, “People are focusing on that [the 51st state comment] instead of the real impact 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum would have on Americans.” He warned that such measures could lead to higher prices for electricity and essential goods.

Trump has claimed that merging the two nations could reduce taxes and eliminate tariffs, but Trudeau dismissed the idea, saying, “As a negotiator, [Trump] likes to keep people off balance.” He also criticized Trump’s framing of the U.S.-Canada trade relationship, particularly regarding Canada’s significant contribution of essential commodities like oil, as a financial burden.

Canadian officials have signaled they may retaliate with tariffs on U.S. products, including orange juice, toilets, and specific steel goods, if Trump proceeds with his threats. During Trump’s first term, Canada countered U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum with duties on bourbon, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and playing cards.

Despite Trump’s claim that the U.S. is not reliant on Canadian oil, statistics paint a different picture. Canada supplies nearly 25% of the oil consumed in the U.S., exporting 4.3 million barrels daily, primarily from Alberta. With the U.S. consuming 20 million barrels per day but producing only 13.2 million, Canadian oil is essential to meeting the shortfall, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Canada, home to over 40 million people and a founding NATO member, is also the leading export market for 36 U.S. states. The bilateral trade relationship generates approximately $2.7 billion daily, underscoring the deep economic ties between the two nations.

As tensions escalate, Trudeau’s remarks highlight the potential fallout of Trump’s trade policies while emphasizing the importance of the long-standing U.S.-Canada partnership.

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