(DailyAnswer.org) – Last week, President-elect Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sat down for a high-stakes dinner at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. The meeting followed Trump’s threat to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian goods unless Canada addressed issues like illegal immigration and drug smuggling across the U.S.-Canada border. The exchange, while lighthearted at times, had serious undertones, according to reports.
Over oysters and crab cocktails, Trump reportedly laid out his frustrations. He accused Canada of failing to curb illegal border crossings, including immigrants from over 70 countries, and criticized the $100 billion trade deficit he claims the U.S. has with Canada. “If your economy depends on taking advantage of ours, maybe it’s time to rethink things,” Trump allegedly said.
When Trudeau warned that such tariffs could cripple Canada’s economy, Trump replied with a provocative suggestion: “If Canada can’t survive without ripping off the U.S., maybe you should just become our 51st state.” The comment, which has sparked controversy, was met with nervous laughter from Trudeau and his team.
Trump didn’t stop there. He quipped that Trudeau’s title of prime minister sounded better than governor but suggested Canada could even split into two states—one conservative and one liberal. This remark reportedly drew more laughter, though it was clear Trump wanted his demands met.
The nearly three-hour dinner, described as “friendly and positive” by the Canadian delegation, included discussions on trade, border security, and economic ties. Trump called the meeting “very productive,” but sources say his message to Trudeau was firm: changes must happen by January 20, or the tariffs would be implemented immediately.
While some may view Trump’s suggestion of statehood for Canada as a joke, it underscores his dissatisfaction with the current state of U.S.-Canada relations. Whether Trudeau takes the threat seriously or dismisses it as bluster remains to be seen.
Both Trump’s team and Trudeau’s office have declined to comment on the dinner, leaving the future of this unique diplomatic relationship uncertain. But one thing is clear: Trump isn’t backing down.
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