In what can only be described as a masterclass in diplomacy, former President Donald Trump reportedly floated the idea of annexing Canada as the 51st state during a dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The exchange, first reported by Fox News, unfolded at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate on November 25 and has left observers scratching their heads: was it a joke, a negotiation tactic, or just classic Trump?
High-stakes diplomacy
The drama began, as so many Trump stories do, with a Truth Social post.
On November 25, Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican goods unless both countries bent to his demands; demands that somehow included solving the U.S.’s fentanyl crisis and halting illegal immigration.
Naturally, Trudeau responded with a request for actual discussions, suggesting dinner instead of social media theatrics.
At the Mar-a-Lago meeting, Trudeau reportedly warned Trump that such a tariff would cripple Canada’s economy.
Trump, in his trademark style, shot back, “So your country can’t survive unless it’s ripping off the U.S. to the tune of $100 billion?”
Then came the pièce de résistance: Trump allegedly suggested that Canada simply become the 51st U.S. state.
The proposal, sources say, was met with “nervous laughter.” Because, really, what else do you do when someone proposes annexing the second-largest country on Earth over dinner?
Prime Minister? Governor? Why not both?
But Trump didn’t stop there. He went on to reassure Trudeau that the title of “prime minister” was still pretty cool and could be swapped for “governor of Canada.”
That’s right – Governor Justin Trudeau of the United States’ newest state.
When someone at the table pointed out that Canada might lean a bit too liberal for Trump’s taste, he doubled down, suggesting that Canada could become two states: one conservative, one liberal. A solution only a true problem-solver could devise.
According to Fox News, the whole spectacle was punctuated by Trump’s insistence that his demands be met by January 20.
As if threatening to economically suffocate a neighboring country weren’t enough, why not casually toss in an annexation proposal to sweeten the pot?
Annexation déjà vu
This isn’t Trump’s first foray into territorial expansion.
In 2019, he famously attempted to buy Greenland from Denmark, a move that spiraled from absurdity to diplomatic debacle.
When Denmark’s prime minister called the idea “absurd,” Trump canceled a scheduled state visit and declared himself deeply offended. The Greenland saga ended with no change in territorial boundaries but plenty of late-night punchlines.
Similarly, whether Trump was joking, blustering, or genuinely brainstorming new statehood candidates over dessert, his comments about Canada are unlikely to result in any borders being redrawn.
Instead, it’s another chapter in the saga of Trump’s unique brand of diplomacy – equal parts headline-generating and head-scratching.
As of December 10, Trump has taken to Truth Social to reiterate his trade threats, leaving it to the public to decide if this latest episode is a joke, a strategy, or just another day in Trumpland.
