Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc has dismissed U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s reported joke that Canada should become the 51st state in the wake of tariffs as “in no way a serious comment.” The remark was made during a Friday dinner meeting between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property in Florida.
The meeting followed Trump’s threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports, which has sparked concerns in Canada. While details of the meeting remain vague, both leaders described their conversation as productive, with Trudeau calling it an “excellent conversation” and Trump referring to it as a “very productive meeting.”
Reports from Fox News, citing anonymous sources, revealed that Trump jokingly suggested that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state if the tariffs harmed its economy.
However, LeBlanc, who attended the dinner, emphasised the light-hearted nature of the comment, noting that it was made during a social evening on the long Thanksgiving weekend in the U.S. He added that the conversation primarily focused on trade and border security. The rapport between the two leaders was positive.
Other members of Trudeau’s cabinet also downplayed the remarks. Tourism Minister Soraya Martínez Ferrada stated that she believes Trump takes Canada seriously, noting that his invitation to Trudeau for dinner showed respect for the bilateral relationship.
Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos echoed this sentiment, describing Trump’s invitation as a sign of his importance on Canada-U.S. relations.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne took pride in being Canadian and highlighted the significance of Trudeau being the first G7 leader to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Justice Minister Arif Virani emphasised the importance of maintaining a working relationship with Trump to protect Canada’s interests, noting that the two countries have a long history of cooperation.
Despite the lighter moments, the ongoing threat of tariffs has raised alarm in Canada. Last week, Trump announced plans to impose a 25 per cent tariff on products from Canada and Mexico once he assumes office.
Prime Minister Trudeau met with opposition leaders to discuss the potential impact of the tariffs, which could affect various sectors in Canada.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre warned that Trump’s tariffs would hurt Canada and the U.S., stating that he would continue making Canada’s case to protect Canadian interests. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet supported measures to bolster resources at the border, a move that his party had previously advocated for.
