Former President Donald Trump recently stated that he is serious about making Canada the 51st U.S. state. In an interview aired before the Super Bowl, Trump told Fox News’ Bret Baier that the U.S. loses $200 billion a year in trade with Canada. He claimed that annexing Canada would be beneficial, though his statements about the U.S. subsidizing Canada are incorrect. The U.S. primarily buys Canadian natural resources, such as oil, leading to a trade deficit of $72 billion in 2023.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed that Trump’s discussions about Canada becoming a U.S. state are real. Trudeau suggested that Trump’s interest is tied to Canada’s natural resources. Speaking to business and labor leaders, Trudeau said Trump and his team are aware of Canada’s resources and want access to them.
While traveling to the Super Bowl, Trump continued to criticize Canada. He claimed that Canada depends on U.S. trade for survival and suggested that it could no longer rely on U.S. military protection. He argued that Canada does not spend enough on its military, assuming the U.S. will protect it. Trump warned that this assumption is no longer valid.
In the same Fox News interview, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Canada and Mexico’s efforts to address trade and border security concerns. He had earlier paused planned tariffs on these countries for 30 days but stated that their actions were not enough. He hinted that he would soon announce a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico, with additional reciprocal tariffs coming later.
Trump’s interview marked his return to a Super Bowl tradition where presidents speak to the network broadcasting the game. His predecessor, Joe Biden, had declined to participate in the past two years. Trump also became the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl in person, saying he thought it was important for the country.
During his flight to New Orleans, Trump signed a proclamation renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” and declared February 9 as the first “Gulf of America Day.”
He also praised billionaire Elon Musk, who has been making drastic cuts in government agencies through his newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Trump said Musk’s efforts will help uncover billions of dollars in fraud and waste. He hinted that the Department of Education and military spending would be Musk’s next targets.
When asked about his viral dancing videos, Trump joked that he tries not to dance but can’t help himself.
