Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday rejected a suggestion from US President-elect Donald Trump that he could use “economic muscle” to transform Canada into the 51st US state.
“There is no chance of Canada becoming part of the United States,” “Workers and communities in both countries benefit from being each other’s largest trade and security partner.”
There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.
Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other’s biggest trading and security partner.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau)
Trump, speaking to reporters at his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, was asked whether he was considering using military force to incorporate Canada.
“No, economic strength,” he replied. “Because Canada and the United States, that would be a really big thing.”
with the US, had previously told reporters that the border was an “artificially drawn line”.
Trump threatened that he sends 75% of all exports of goods and services to the US.
Earlier on Tuesday, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Trump’s comments “show a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada a strong country… We will never back down from threats.”