US President Donald Trump asserted that Canada would become the "51st state" of the US, voicing a series of grievances against the neighboring nation. Speaking at a campaign rally in Bullhead, Arizona, on 14/10, Trump declared, "Canada treats us very badly. They always have. But not anymore. Everything has completely changed since Trump arrived."
The former White House chief specifically criticized Ottawa's tariffs on US milk, urged car companies to move factories from Canada to the US, and floated the idea of renaming Lake Ontario "Lake America". He accused Canada of "picking America's pocket" through tariffs on excess milk.
Trump emphasized his belief that annexation was the only viable path. "They will become the 51st state, because that's the only solution. We don't need them, but they need us," he stated.
 |
US President Donald Trump at a rally in Bullhead, Arizona on 14/10. Photo: AFP. |
He further questioned the financial burden on the US, asking why the country should spend "80 to 100 billion USD each year to support a nation that does not belong to us?" He drew a parallel to Greenland, stating, "They will do something similar to Greenland," referencing previous discussions about a security agreement between the US, Denmark, and Greenland, following his repeated interest in controlling the world's largest island.
During the rally, Trump also mentioned Greenland as the latest addition to "our beautiful plate," and referenced Venezuela, where US military forces raided and arrested President Nicolas Maduro earlier this year. The US later signed an agreement to expand access to Venezuela's oil reserves. He concluded, "Our plate is getting bigger than ever. What about Venezuela? We are doing pretty well there, aren't we?"
Trump's calls for Canada to become the "51st state" are not new. In June, he posted on social media advocating for the idea, a move that drew strong criticism from neighboring officials. Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared Canada's sovereignty was not for sale.
 |
A map with US flags covering many countries and territories, including Canada, Mexico, Iceland, posted by Trump on social media on 7/9. Photo: Truth Social/realDonaldTrump. |
Following Canada's announcement of new retaliatory tariffs on US goods in September, British Columbia Premier David Eby took a firm stance. He announced the province would install new signs at border crossings with the US, explicitly stating, "will never be the 51st state."
Last month, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick echoed a similar sentiment regarding Ontario, stating it would be "the last of our 51 states". This remark came in response to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's request for the Trump administration to be "more serious" in trade negotiations.
Huyen Le (According to CTV News, Toronto Sun).
