President Donald Trump once again urged Canadians to consider becoming the “cherished” 51st U.S. state, as they head to the polls to vote in their federal election.
“Good luck to the Great people of Canada,” Trump posted on Truth Social early Monday.
“Elect the man who has the strength and wisdom to cut your taxes in half, increase your military power, for free, to the highest level in the World, have your Car, Steel, Aluminum, Lumber, Energy, and all other businesses, QUADRUPLE in size, WITH ZERO TARIFFS OR TAXES, if Canada becomes the cherished 51st. State of the United States of America.
“No more artificially drawn line from many years ago. Look how beautiful this land mass would be. Free access with NO BORDER. ALL POSITIVES WITH NO NEGATIVES. IT WAS MEANT TO BE! America can no longer subsidize Canada with the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year that we have been spending in the past. It makes no sense unless Canada is a State!”
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Why It Matters
Canada’s election campaign has been dominated by the decline in U.S.-Canada relations following Trump’s aggressive tariffs agenda and repeated remarks about making Canada the 51st state.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party, which was previously trailing against Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Party for much of the last year is now faring much better after campaigning heavily on opposing Trump’s treatment of Canada, with Polymarket predicting that Carney has a more than 80 percent chance of remaining prime minister after the election on Monday.
What To Know
It is not clear which candidate Trump was referring to in the Truth Social post; both Carney and Poilievre have repeatedly denounced any suggestion of Canada becoming a U.S. state.
Carney has campaigned on a “spend less, invest more” manifesto that promises to reduce the marginal tax rate on the lowest tax bracket by 1 percentage point, and he has also pledged to increase defense spending. Poilievre has said he would cut income tax by 15 percent, and has also called for more military spending, but neither party’s manifesto matches Trump’s description of halving taxes and getting a stronger military for free.
Trump’s comments on Monday are not the first time he has questioned the validity of the Canadian border. In March, Trump described the border as “an artificial map, drawn by some guy with a ruler years ago,” and suggested it could be taken away to incorporate Canada into the U.S.
Trump previously said that he had productive conversations with Carney after he succeeded Justin Trudeau as prime minister, referring to a phone call in March: “It was an extremely productive call, we agree on many things, and will be meeting immediately after Canada’s upcoming Election to work on elements of Politics, Business, and all other factors, that will end up being great for both the United States of America and Canada.”
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What People Are Saying
Prime Minister Mark Carney said in March: “We’re ready to engage with the U.S. on a comprehensive negotiation—when Canada is shown respect as a sovereign nation.”
Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, said at a rally in February: “Let me be clear: We will never be the 51st state. We will bear any burden and pay any price to protect the sovereignty and independence of our country. We are slow to anger and quick to forgive. But never confuse our kindness for weakness. We are mild-mannered and made of steel.”
What Happens Next
Initial election results are expected to be reported on Monday night through to Tuesday morning.
