Key Takeaways:
- Trump says he’s serious about annexing Canada.
- He claims the U.S. loses $200 billion a year with Canada (not exactly true!).
- Trudeau reportedly believes Trump wants Canada for its natural resources.
- Trump threatens tariffs on Canada and Mexico.
Trump’s Bold Claim: Canada as the 51st State?
In a surprising Super Bowl interview with Fox News, President Trump doubled down on his desire to see Canada become the 51st state. When Bret Baier asked if he was serious about annexing Canada, Trump responded with a resounding, “Yeah it is.”
He argued that Canada would be better off as part of the U.S., claiming that the U.S. loses a staggering $200 billion a year in trade with its northern neighbor. “I think Canada would be much better off being the 51st state because we lose $200 billion a year with Canada. And I’m not going to let that happen,” he stated.
However, the claim that the U.S. subsidizes Canada is misleading. The U.S. imports a significant amount of goods from Canada, including oil and other natural resources. While there is a trade deficit in goods, it largely reflects America’s reliance on Canadian energy.
Trudeau’s Take: It’s About the Resources!
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has reportedly addressed Trump’s comments, suggesting that the U.S. interest in annexing Canada is tied to its desire for access to Canada’s abundant natural resources.
According to CBC, Trudeau stated that Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st state was “a real thing” and linked it to the U.S.’s desire to benefit from Canada’s resources. “They’re very aware of our resources of what we have, and they very much want to be able to benefit from those,” Trudeau reportedly said.
Threats and Trade Wars: What’s Next?
Trump didn’t stop at annexation talk. He also threatened to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico, claiming that they haven’t done enough to address his concerns about border security and drug trafficking.
He announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S., including from Canada and Mexico. He also hinted at reciprocal tariffs later in the week, stating, “Very simply it’s if they charge us, we charge them.”
Super Bowl Tradition: Trump’s Return
Trump’s Super Bowl interview marked a return to a tradition where presidents grant a sit-down to the network broadcasting the game. While both Trump and his predecessor, Joe Biden, have been inconsistent in their participation, Trump’s appearance this year certainly made headlines.
He also became the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl in person, stating that he thought it would be a good thing for the country.
Additional Comments: From Elon Musk to Dancing
During the interview, Trump also defended Elon Musk’s work, praised his dancing skills, and even declared Feb. 9 as “the first ever Gulf of America Day.”
Whether you agree with his policies or not, Trump’s Super Bowl interview was certainly one for the books. Only time will tell if his talk of annexing Canada will ever become a reality.