resident Donald Trump has doubled down on his controversial belief that Canada should be absorbed into the United States, arguing that the nation “only works as a state.” His remarks, made during a White House meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, have ignited a firestorm of debate on both sides of the border.
Trump, never one to shy away from grandiose claims, insisted that Canada has been financially draining the U.S. for years. “They’ve been ripping us off,” he declared to reporters, stating that America “can’t subsidize a country for $200 billion a year.” While the accuracy of that figure is highly questionable—Canada actually had a trade deficit of around $64 billion with the U.S. last year—Trump made it clear that he sees annexation as a solution to what he perceives as an economic imbalance.
A Border ‘That Makes No Sense’
Pushing his argument further, Trump questioned the very legitimacy of Canada’s existence as a separate nation. He claimed the border between the U.S. and its northern neighbor is nothing more than an “artificial line” that was drawn “many, many decades ago.”
“It would be one of the great states anywhere,” he said, envisioning a unified North America. “This would be the most incredible country visually. If you look at a map, they drew an artificial line right through it between Canada and the U.S. just a straight artificial line. Somebody did it a long time ago, many, many decades ago. And it makes no sense.”
Trump did not elaborate on how exactly he plans to convince 40 million Canadians to relinquish their sovereignty, but he did attempt to soften the proposal by reassuring them that some aspects of Canadian identity could remain intact.
‘O Canada’ Gets a Statewide Promotion
Perhaps sensing potential backlash, Trump took a moment to praise Canada’s national anthem, “O Canada.” Instead of eliminating the song altogether, he proposed keeping it in a new role.
“Keeping ‘O Canada,’ the national anthem, I love it. I think it’s great. Keep it. But it’ll be for the state,” he said, suggesting that Canada’s identity would not be erased—just rebranded as a part of the United States.
The statement was met with swift and sharp reactions, with political analysts, Canadian officials, and everyday citizens expressing everything from bewilderment to outrage.
Canada Reacts: ‘Absolutely Delusional’
Unsurprisingly, Trump’s comments did not sit well with Canadians. Political leaders across the country quickly dismissed the notion of annexation, with some calling it “absolutely delusional.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office declined to comment directly, though an anonymous senior official called Trump’s remarks “another example of his complete misunderstanding of international relations.” Meanwhile, opposition leader Pierre Poilievre took to social media to mock the idea, sarcastically tweeting, “Sure, and maybe we should annex Florida while we’re at it.”
Canadians on social media erupted with a mixture of mockery and frustration. Hashtags like #HandsOffCanada and #TrumpStayOut began trending within hours. Many pointed out that Canada consistently ranks higher than the U.S. in quality-of-life indexes, universal healthcare coverage, and public safety.
“Why would we give up free healthcare, lower crime rates, and better education just to be another U.S. state?” one Twitter user posted. “Hard pass.”
American Reactions: Divided as Ever
Back in the U.S., Trump’s comments received a predictably mixed response. His most loyal supporters embraced the idea, with some even suggesting a campaign slogan of “Make Canada Great Again.” Right-wing commentators on cable news ran segments debating whether Canada could be “saved” by becoming part of the U.S., arguing that its “liberal policies” have hurt its economy.
However, not everyone on the American right was on board. Some conservative analysts pointed out the logistical and legal nightmares that such an annexation would entail. “This isn’t the Louisiana Purchase,” one pundit noted. “Canada is a fully sovereign nation with its own government, military, and international alliances. It’s not up for grabs.”
Meanwhile, left-leaning commentators ridiculed the notion, calling it another example of Trump’s “detachment from reality.” Late-night hosts had a field day with the remarks, with one comedian joking, “We’re having enough trouble handling 50 states—do we really want to take on an entire country that drinks milk from bags?”
Could This Ever Happen?
While Trump’s comments make for sensational headlines, experts in international law and geopolitics say the idea of annexing Canada is beyond improbable—it’s impossible. For one, Canada is a constitutional monarchy with its own government, laws, and deeply ingrained national identity. Any attempt to force annexation would violate countless international treaties and likely spark unprecedented diplomatic fallout.
Moreover, under Canada’s constitution, any major change to its sovereignty would require an overwhelming majority vote from its citizens—something that polls suggest would never happen. A recent survey found that 85% of Canadians oppose even closer economic integration with the U.S., let alone becoming the 51st state.
On the American side, the hurdles are just as high. Congress would have to approve the annexation, which is highly unlikely given the deep political divides in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Additionally, the move would have to survive legal challenges that would almost certainly make their way to the Supreme Court.
Trump’s History of Eyeing Canada
This is not the first time Trump has made eyebrow-raising statements about Canada. During his presidency, he frequently criticized Canadian trade policies, once calling Prime Minister Trudeau “very dishonest and weak” after a tense G7 summit. His administration also imposed tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel, leading to a brief trade war between the two nations.
There were even reports that Trump had privately asked aides whether the U.S. could buy Greenland from Denmark—a move reminiscent of the Louisiana Purchase. Though Greenland is not Canada, the question hinted at Trump’s broader interest in expanding American territory.
What’s Next?
With Trump once again making headlines, speculation is mounting over whether this rhetoric is merely a publicity stunt or if he genuinely believes annexation is feasible. Some analysts suggest he is simply testing the waters for a potential 2028 presidential run, using inflammatory statements to energize his base.
For now, Canadians can rest easy knowing that their country is in no immediate danger of becoming America’s 51st state. But if Trump’s history has taught the world anything, it’s that his words—no matter how outlandish—always have the potential to shape the political conversation in ways no one quite expects.
