U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s comments that Canada should become the 51st state are no longer a joke and are meant to undermine America’s closest ally, Canada’s finance minister said Wednesday.
Dominic LeBlanc, the country’s point person for U.S-Canada relations, said Trump was smiling when he first made the comment during a dinner at Mar-a-Lago with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in late November.
“The joke is over,” said LeBlanc. “It’s a way for him, I think, to sow confusion, to agitate people, to create chaos knowing this will never happen.”
Trump keeps floating the idea that Canada should join the United States as the 51st state, saying Tuesday he would not use military force to invade the country, which is home to more than 40 million people and is a founding NATO partner.
Instead, Trump said he would rely on “economic force” as he erroneously cast the U.S. trade deficit with Canada — a natural resource-rich nation that provides the U.S. with commodities like oil — as a subsidy.
“It’s becoming very counterproductive,” LeBlanc said, referring to Trump’s rhetoric about Canada.
LeBlanc has been talking to incoming Trump administration officials about increasing border security in an effort to avoid a sweeping 25% tariff that Trump has threatened to impose on all Canadian products.
LeBlanc, recently appointed to the role after the abrupt resignation of the previous finance minister, also announced he won't run to replace Trudeau so he can focus on the tariff threat. Trudeau announced Monday he will resign as prime minister and will stay on until a new Liberal leader is chosen.
“The timing is awful for sure," said Liberal lawmaker Judy Sgro of the leadership change. “But we will do what we have to do to ensure that Canada stands strong."
Asked about Trump's comments, Sgro said “He should focus on his own issues in his own country, because he’s got lots of them.”
Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller also fired back, dismissing Trump's comments as “ridiculous.”
"There is no chance of us becoming the 51st state. I think that this is beneath a president of the United States,” Miller said. “I said a few weeks ago that this whole thing was like a South Park episode."
Trump refused to rule out acquiring Greenland and the Panama Canal by military force and has said the U.S doesn't need anything from Canada, including automobiles, lumber and dairy products.
"I don’t know who is misinforming him," Ontario Premier Doug Ford said. “Right now we ship 4.3 million barrels of crude oil into the U.S. 60 percent of their energy imports are coming from Canada.”
The U.S. imports approximately 60% of its crude oil from Canada, with Alberta alone supplying 4.3 million barrels per day. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the U.S. consumes about 20 million barrels a day, while domestically producing about 13.2 million barrels a day. This means about quarter of the oil the U.S. consumes every day is from Canada.
Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day.
Ford said Canada will retaliate if Trump imposes tariffs, saying that a wide range of U.S. products shipped to Canada will be targeted, but he declined to specify which ones.
Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security.
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said she never takes Trump's threats lightly.
"At the same time we can’t take the bait,” Joly said. “We have to show we have a strong economy and we are strong and we are not going to be annexed.”
© Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
67 Comments
Underworld
It was never funny. Trump ain't a comedian.
deanzaZZR
I told my Canadian colleague that Canada shouldn't be one state of the United States. Canada should be three states, East Canada, Central Canada and West Canada. Package the three new states with an upgrade for Puerto Rico to the 54th state and see what happens in Congress and presidential elections. Republicans will likely suffer from indigestion.
bass4funk
I think it would be an excellent idea.
nishikat
Can the US have Canada's government healthcare? It seems Canadians live longer and no one goes bankrupt.
itsonlyrocknroll
Turn the Trump banter, wind-up, taking the P on its head, suggest USA become Canada 11th province, of course US would have to divvy up, pay its way,
Offer Donald Trump a "key" position, diversity czar, after he on bended knee humbly swears oath of allegiance.
I, Donald Trump do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty, King Charles III, the third King of Canada, His Heirs and Successors. So help me God.......
I am sure he will bite your arm off in gratitude.
Bob Fosse
Of course you do. That surprises nobody.
It is however a very stupid idea and a complete waste of time.
Ah_so
I think it would be great if the USA and Canada merged, into the United States of Canada, and all be part of the British Commonwealth.
Americans could then have have King Charles on their bank notes rather than those nonentities who currently grace their bank notes, and the King could even open parliament for the united country.
Underworld
bass4funk
And instantly ruin Canada's excellent healthcare system...
plasticmonkey
Whatever Trump says is a brilliant idea. Otherwise you’re not a true believer.
GBR48
quote: we ship 4.3 million barrels of crude oil into the U.S. ... Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminium and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for.
All the more reason to invade. And none of that '51st state' nonsense. Directly enslaving the people of Canada would solve many of America's financial issues and reduce to zero the cost of everything they currently buy from them.
Canada may want to start work on a DMZ.
Yrral
Trump has no legal power to purchase a plot of land, without the authority of Congress
itsonlyrocknroll
I know at least two of my US friends who would "throw a wobbler" at merest suggestion, hint, at the thought of having to swear an oath of allegiance to a British Monarchy,
Come to think of it, a few members of my own UK family would choak at the thought.
When you start taking playground politics/banter to heart/seriously, it is time for a long holiday.
wallace
Trump taking over a sovereign country, neighbor, and ally, is not an excellent idea and one that will forever remain a pie in the sky.
Bob Fosse
Why didn’t he talk about Greenland, Panama, 51st state and Gulf of Mexico during his campaigning? Are they ‘kitchen table issues’?
Seems egg prices aren’t that important after all.
wallace
Trump isn't the only one with mental problems if MAGA supporters even think this will go anywhere.
Bob Fosse
No. Nope. Nobody serious is doing that. Nobody.
Can you name just one or two of these ‘a lot of people’?
Yrral
Bass4, Trump got better thing to do,like go before the judge Friday
itsonlyrocknroll
Come on, can you honesty see a 200 metre high "for sale" sign ever appearing on Greenland an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark?
Or the people of Canada voting to hand over sovereignty to become US 51st state?
The US people ever endorsing, congress, senate, an invasion milltary action to retake the Panama canal?
Think about that.
You are being wound up like a clock, the tell tale Trump taunting.
bass4funk
I call it being aware…
You always say the most oddest things. ROFL!
Well, he’s doing it now.
They are, one step at a time, just relax, relax….
Wrong party, wrong President
You never know. I mean, you said the same thing about the chances of Trump ever becoming a reality, he’s done, washed up, history, you laughed and mocked us conservatives and here we are. ROFL!
Bob Fosse
It is also a very stupid idea for maga to even think about this for the simple reason that if it were to happen Canada would be an overwhelmingly Blue state with a huge voter base.
I mean, duh.
bass4funk
Goes both ways
What?
Ahhh…ok….anyway, two more weeks until Biden will be a page in the history books.
Yrral
Canadian has a chance to be a part of the US,they choose to live under the crown,the US could of invaded Canada, but did not
Simon Foston
bass4funkToday 06:58 am JST
What, use "economic force" to annexe a key ally and trading partner? Do you think any Canadians agree? Or wouldn't they get a choice?
Aly Rustom
If the Canadians got together with the British, the Aussies, and the Kiwis and formed a CANZUK agreement, it would pretty much nullify all this talk about becoming the 51st state.
lincolnman
Well, I can understand the frustration of our Canadian friends...Trump's utter ridiculousness and need to attention can get tiresome - like caring for a uber-spoiled two year old...
But just look on it as we do - comedy....the incoherent ramblings of a 78 year old demented grandpa....
Laugh at his unhinged babbling - we got some real belly laughs out of the "wonderful person Hannibal Lector" and "they're eating the pets" gems....
He's nothing but a lot of got air - bad "McDonalds" breath and all...
Blacklabel
It’s even funnier the more outraged reaction it gets.
stormcrow
The problem you have when you begin talking about annexing countries which don't belong to you is that you encourage and legitimize other dictators' claims to territories near their own borders. This is the worst possible message for any U.S. president to be sending out to friend and foe alike. China and Russia are probably quite excited to hear Trump mouthing off like this, for it gives them the incentive they need for expansionism. Not good at all.
itsonlyrocknroll
I have working in city of London financial sector, a variable bunch of spiv hooligans, bullies.
I once super glued a bulling traders $7K Loafers to his personal foot stool, he was livid, threated to "deck" me.
Retorting, I barked, go on "deck" one of the only three women on the "floor" and watch as your entire career disappear round life's U bend.
If you "give it", then you must learn to "take it"
Donald Trump is "gaming" you all.
In four years time the real action starts.
Trump 78, June 14, 1946. time has run out.
Blacklabel
you DONT?
come on, man.
Jimizo
You like the idea of leaders trolling their allies?
This isn’t unpopular teenagers watching Joe Rogan and spamming social media with ideas of ‘liberal tears’ and owning the libs.
This is supposedly the grown-up world.
Blacklabel
Having said that, many good things that happen in life have started as a joke or a “crazy” idea or something “impossible, that will never happen”, right?
Simon Foston
BlacklabelToday 08:32 am JST
Then you don't agree with people who think it's an "excellent idea" either? They seem to be taking it seriously.
Bob Fosse
Some maga are taking it seriously. Apparently “a lot of people are now taking a second look with interest.”
Any thoughts on that? Don’t worry about what you imagine the other team think. What do your team think? Read Bass’ posts before you answer, he is your team, right?
lincolnman
A bit of a joke? It's a genuine gut-buster - the way Trump trolls his own supporters and betrays them by siding with his billionaire tech bros to bring in MORE immigrants...
Trump/Musk/Ramaswamy - doing more for DEI than the Dems ever did...ROFL...
wallace
"Canada", Greenland", and "Panama Canal", I thought Trump stated he had serious problems to deal with like the border and illegal immigrants.
Blacklabel
he has Mrs Mexico so triggered she is publicly briefing maps from 1607 showing “Mexican America”
hes got the usual MAGA obsessive guy posting about Hannibal Lector and US immigration and DEI again.
meanwhile you have no idea what this is distracting from lol
bass4funk
Illegal, yes.
Eat the left
No idea what Mr Trump is doing with this one, but it isn't worth getting one's knickers in a twist over.
deanzaZZR
@Ah_so I can be critical of the USA government. Deposing the monarchy is something I will never criticize. Keep your kings and queens if you like.
itsonlyrocknroll
Donald Trump presidency could be a global saving grace, a wake up call for crass career politicians taking the electorate for granted.
Trump is unpredictable, some would suggest unstable, yet Presidents Putin , XI Jinping, Kim Jong Un, most of the leadership of Europe are stunned and headless, Elon "the meddler" Musk mindlessly marauding unchecked.
Canada's leadership rising foolishly to the bait.
Hamas hoping for ceasefire before Trump takes office.
UK parliament, economy, politically is chaos.
Trump right now, is the wake up call.
ok1517
Of course that deranged talk isn't funny at all!
Donald going full ballistic: Canada, Panama, Greenland (by the way, have you heard, junior left Greenland because there was "too much snow" for him).
Talks like that happened some 90 years ago, too, with the consequences we all (should) know.
Trump - the DinC - Divider in Chief!
He'll burn even the last bridge to make sure he will get what he (and his clan) wants!
The dictatorship in the making!!
plasticmonkey
It's a really childish and preposterous idea to take seriously.
Pissing off all of your allies is not clever.
Sven Asai
Those proven Afghanistan heroes run home crying when seeing the first grizzly bear in Canadian woods. lol
John-San
In today social climate where the USA lack social cohesion, who would want to be part of the USA. The USA has seen declines in social networks and trust in political and societal institutions in recent decades. The SolAbility Global Social Capital Index ranks the USA very low, at 118, due to high crime rates, low health service availability, and rising inequality. Social cohesion is important for societies and economies to function. It can impact marketing, messaging, and positioning, as well as public and social policy. This is why Canadains will never be part of the USA.
Blacklabel
they are. But could also happen as jokes sometimes become true.
you at least got this right, but you don’t know as distractions from what (it’s not Ukraine, that war will be ended.)
Simon Foston
BlacklabelToday 08:44 am JST
Can be. But is it?
browny1
Heh, Heh - just can't wait for the show to begin.
If we get more of the past weeks comments like those concerning Canada, Greenland, electric heaters and windmills - again - then the smiles will be a mile wide every day.
Pure comedy - with apologies to those who have to withstand.
Blacklabel
Yes I believe it’s a joke about an excellent idea that could come true.
has something like this never happened in world history? Oh it has.
even if never had, how many things has Trump done (good and bad) that have never happened before? Lots!
plasticmonkey
Examples from history, please.
ClippetyClop
It's all a bit of a giggle, but then you realize that the person talking about drinking bleach, nuking hurricanes, invading Greenland and annexing Canada isn't a small child thinking aloud but a supposed reasoning adult with a brain, and one who people actually voted to be a President.
The dumbest (but funniest) four years in modern history is about to begin.
WoodyLee
“The joke is over,” said LeBlanc. “It’s a way for him, I think, to sow confusion, to agitate people, to create chaos knowing this will never happen.”
AGREE 100%.
Trump may be joking!!? BUT this is NOT a joking matter.
itsonlyrocknroll
Blacklabel ......
I have been reading that Joe Biden was not mentally fit to lead the nation when taking office 2020.
Democrats really ought to be ashamed of themselves if this was the case.
Did Democrats conspire to gaslight the American people an entire nation?
Donald Trump is goading the globe, and whole continents are falling for it.
Leaders who should know better.
Yet Trump has not taken office.
Trump threatens to seize the Panama Canal, buy Greenland, declare Canada US 51st state.
What next bend political spoons, save US power and energy on new reformulation coca cola?
I believe most political leadership would buy such nonsense.
Blacklabel
USA taking Texas and California from Mexico by force.
USA owning Guam, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, among others.
Alaska purchased from Russia. (Seward’s “folly”)
the Louisiana Purchase.
quercetum
National security is very important and the U.S. has a right to make sure it has access to Canada's resources. This is in order to protect the free and international rules based world.
quercetum
A sign of power is that you toss some ideas out and people scramble to adjust in fear. Trump has not even taken office and he has all of you all bunched up.
Burgerland
“It’s a way for him, I think, to sow confusion, to agitate people, to create chaos knowing this will never happen.”
True, so if everyone knows " this will never happen" no need to get so upset about his "jokes."
Simon Foston
quercetumToday 10:20 am JST
That's what you think the president's job is? To get people "bunched up?"
bass4funk
You are joking, right?
quercetum
That's not his doing but an overreaction. The proper reaction is no reaction to ideas or just talk. It's easy to talk but hard to do needless to say. The reaction now is more suitable if those plans were actually being carried out.
itsonlyrocknroll
Think back twelve months, Donald Trump public enemy one, a gangster, New York judges positioning to lock him up and throw away the key.
Yet today, right now Donald Trump President elect, number 47, huffing and puffing, Canada political establishment in the throws of collective political incontinence.
Has there ever historically been such a occurrence, ever been a President elect win a US election after being charged with 37 felony counts.
An election campaign where 2 attempts were made on a candidates life?
A President elect suggesting a military takeover of the Panama Canal, solving the war in Ukraine with a phone call, purchasing Greenland, threatening a tariff war.
Could you have predicted such insanity?
Yet here we are, the governments of China Russia will spend the next four year trying to figure out the Trump conundrum.
quercetum
Exactly. Why is everyone so up in arms over a lion taking down a zebra?
I am for the US annexing the delicious parts of Canada. Take Alberta and leave Manitoba and Saskatchewan for the Canadians. Places like Taiwan never last. China is full of these little states. They eventually get absorbed. The same with Ryukyu / Okinawa, Hawaii and the Baltic states.
What these littles states can do and are already doing is to team up and be the herd of angry buffalos against the lion. Buffalos can also kill the lion you know.
John-San
So Trump is just a narcissistic joke play on the world by the neocon USA autocratic govenment. Way to go, USA, USA, USA.
JeffLee
You know nothing of history. Just ask the Dutch, the Poles, the Irish, the Austrians, the Begians and, yes, the Ukrainians, and many, many others.
quercetum
You're right with those examples. Never say never.
The list of former sovereign states, without looking up anything, has to be way more extensive than what you have though. By logic, the survival of the fittest trumps the survival of the friendliest - Brian Hare. In China proper I should say, they do not last. Vietnam is also an exception but not in China proper.
Peter14
Trump remaking America in the image of Russia and China.
Easy to see Trump will sell out Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, so Russia doesnt interfere or object when Trump takes the panama canal and Greenland. Trump will also allow China to take Taiwan for their silence on the canal and Greenland.
As for Canada, it is unlikely he will be able to force Canada to give away its sovereignty through economic means alone. But Trump will remove the US from NATO so he can take Greenland from Denmark and put maximum pressure on Canada.
It wouldn't surprise if Trump tries to create a new alliance between the US, Russia, NK and others, while NATO tries to survive without the US, and tries to oppose the US taking Greenland.
Trump likely to destroy the current civilized world by turning America into an autocracy modeled after Russia. Turmoil will ensue everywhere as a result. Danger signs are everywhere.
quercetum
That's a slur against China. China will do what it wants to do regardless of the President of the US.
China chooses not to take Taiwan by force because it is already a low hanging fruit and why kill people and see images of Gaza in your own province?
Real power is having the ability to take but practicing discipline and restraint.
JJE
Hilarious stuff.
It's called the Donroe Doctrine.