Trump Renews 51st-State Threat Against Canada, Citing Trade Disputes

US President Donald Trump has again suggested that Canada will eventually become America’s 51st state, escalating his rhetoric amid ongoing trade tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, on Wednesday, Trump accused Canada of treating the United States unfairly. He cited tariffs on American products and the relocation of car manufacturing operations to the US as reasons for his criticism.

“Canada treats us very badly. They always have. Not anymore. It’s a whole different ball game now that Trump is in town,” Trump said, as quoted by CTV News.

He particularly criticised Canadian tariffs on dairy products, alleging that the restrictions affected “anything past two bottles (of milk).”

“They’ll end up being the 51st state, because that’s the only way it works,” the president declared. “We don’t need them, but they need us.”

Trump also questioned the financial support the United States provides to Canada, asking why Washington should spend billions of dollars supporting a country that is not part of America.

Drawing a comparison with his interest in Greenland, he said Canada would be “doing something just like Greenland.”

Trump described the possibility as something that “just adds to our beautiful plate,” referring to the United States, and added: “Our plate’s getting larger all the time.”

He also suggested renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America” as he continued his criticism of Canada.

The comments come as trade relations between Washington and Ottawa remain strained, with Canadian leaders repeatedly dismissing Trump’s suggestion that their country could join the United States.

In September, British Columbia Premier David Eby announced plans for signs at US border crossings declaring that the province would “never the 51st state.” The move followed Canada’s announcement of additional retaliatory tariffs on American goods.

Last month, Lutnick also made a controversial comment about Ontario, referring to it as the “last out of our 51st states.” The remark came after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged the Trump administration to approach trade negotiations seriously.

Trump had revived the statehood proposal in June, when Canada was experiencing economic difficulties that some economists said met the definition of a technical recession. The remarks triggered criticism from Canadian officials.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford rejected the idea at the time, saying Trump was “back on his high horse” and stressing that Canadian sovereignty was not negotiable.

“I can tell President Trump that will never, ever happen,” Ford said.

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