Toronto: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly stated that U.S. President Donald Trump’s discussions about absorbing Canada into the United States are “a real thing” and tied to the country’s vast natural resources, according to a government source.
Trudeau’s remarks came during a closed-door meeting with business and labor leaders on strategies to counter Trump’s threats of tariffs on Canadian imports. The comments were first reported by The Toronto Star, which stated that they were inadvertently broadcast over a loudspeaker.
Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada would be better off as the 51st U.S. state, a notion Trudeau acknowledged in the meeting.
“They’re very aware of our resources, of what we have, and they very much want to be able to benefit from those,” The Star quoted Trudeau as saying.
“But Mr. Trump has it in mind that one of the easiest ways of doing that is absorbing our country. And it is a real thing.”
A government source confirmed the accuracy of The Star’s report.
Canada’s Response to U.S. Pressure
In response to mounting U.S. trade pressure, Canada has emphasized its role as a trusted economic partner and a major supplier of oil, minerals, and other natural resources.
During remarks open to reporters, Trudeau warned that Canada could face long-term political challenges with Washington, even if immediate tariff threats were avoided.
Trump announced on Monday that he would delay imposing tariffs on Canadian exports by 30 days in exchange for concessions on border security and crime enforcement, particularly concerning the smuggling of fentanyl.
Trudeau stated that Canada’s priority was to demonstrate its efforts to curb fentanyl trafficking. According to public data, only 0.2% of fentanyl seized in the U.S. originates from Canada.
Retaliation and Economic Concerns
Trudeau assured business and labor leaders that if U.S. tariffs were implemented, Canada would respond with countermeasures. However, he stressed that the primary objective would always be to remove trade restrictions as swiftly as possible.
“The strategic reflection we have to have right now is … how we get through, and thrive, and grow stronger over the next four years and into what may be a more challenging long-term political situation with the United States?” he said.
Trump’s senior trade adviser, Peter Navarro, escalated tensions this week by claiming that Canada had become a major source of small, duty-free drug shipments, had “big” visa-related issues, and had allowed individuals on the U.S. terrorism watch list to enter the country.
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With 75% of Canada’s exports destined for the U.S., the country remains highly vulnerable to American trade policies.
Trudeau also pointed to long-standing internal trade barriers between Canada’s ten provinces, arguing that they were stifling economic growth.
“This is one of those moments and opportunities where … there’s a window open because of the context we’re in. We have to jump through it,” he said.
