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Joly said US President-elect Donald Trump’s remarks showed a complete lack of understanding of what made Canada a strong country
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly and US President-elect Donald Trump. (Photo: Reuters)
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly responded to United States President-elect Donald Trump’s call for a US-Canada merger, saying people of her country “will never back down in the face of threats”.
Joly, one of the top contenders in the race to succeed Justin Trudeau as Canada’s Prime Minister after his exit, took to X, taking strong exception to Trump’s remarks.
In two posts in French and English, she wrote, “President-elect Trump’s comments show a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada a strong country. Our economy is strong. Our people are strong. We will never back down in the face of threats.”
Donald Trump’s Renewed Offer To Merge Canada, US
Hours after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation, US President-elect Donald Trump renewed his proposal to make Canada the 51st state of the United States on Monday.
Trudeau, 53, announced his resignation after facing mounting pressure from his Liberal Party due to his declining popularity. General elections are set for later this year. Trudeau stated he would remain in office until a new leader was chosen by the party.
Trump, 78, who never had a strong rapport with Trudeau even during his first term from 2017-2021, has been suggesting the idea of incorporating Canada as a U.S. state since meeting Trudeau after his November 5 electoral victory at Mar-a-Lago. He has since reiterated this proposal in several social media posts.
“Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State. The United States can no longer bear the massive trade deficits and subsidies Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this and resigned,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“If Canada merged with the US, there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them. Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!” said the president-elect after the resignation of Trudeau on Monday.
There has not been much reaction to Trump’s proposal from the Canadian side. Trump has threatened to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports if Toronto is not able top stop the flow of illicit drugs and illegal migrants from its southern border with the US.
In some of the posts, Trump even mocked Trudeau as “Governor of the Great State of Canada”.
