Trump Jokes About Canada as 51st State During Tariff Talks with Trudeau

President-elect Donald Trump made a controversial quip about annexing Canada during a Mar-a-Lago dinner with Justin Trudeau, as tensions rise over proposed tariffs on Canadian goods.

During a dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Trump reportedly joked that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state if it could not handle the economic impact of a proposed 25% tariff on Canadian goods.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded with nervous laughter, while Canadian officials later clarified that the comment was made in jest and not a serious proposal.
The proposed tariffs, aimed at addressing drug smuggling and illegal immigration, have sparked concerns over their potential to severely harm Canada’s economy and disrupt U.S.-Canada trade relations.
Trump posted an AI-generated image on Truth Social featuring himself beside a Canadian flag, captioned 'Oh Canada!', further fueling reactions to his earlier remarks.
Canadian officials have pledged to increase border security measures, including drones and helicopters, in an effort to address U.S. concerns and avoid the looming tariffs.