Trump Taunts Trudeau as ‘Governor of the Great State of Canada’ Amid Heated Tariff Talks

President-elect Donald Trump escalated his trade rhetoric with Canada, targeting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by calling him the “Governor of the Great State of Canada” during ongoing tariff talks. The comments followed a private dinner where Trump allegedly joked about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state if it didn’t comply with his proposed tariff plan.

President-elect Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau met for dinner at Mar-a-Lago in late November after the US leader threatened high tariffs on its northern neighbour. Justin Trudeau, /X

Posting on Truth Social shortly after midnight, Trump, 78, wrote: “It was a pleasure to have dinner the other night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.

I look forward to seeing the Governor again soon so that we may continue our in-depth talks on Tariffs and Trade, the results of which will be spectacular for all! DJT.”

The dinner occurred on November 29 at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in West Palm Beach, Florida. The meeting came after Trump’s threat to impose a 25% import tax on Canada and Mexico due to concerns about migrants and illicit drugs crossing both the northern and southern U.S. borders.

According to Fox News, Trudeau, 52, pleaded with Trump to reconsider the high tariff, warning that it could “kill” Canada’s economy. Trump reportedly retorted: “So your country can’t survive unless it’s ripping off the U.S. to the tune of $100 billion?” — referencing the U.S. trade deficit with Canada.

Trump also previously trolled Trudeau by posting an AI image of him next to a Canadian flag. @realdonaldtrump/Instagram

Trump’s trolling didn’t stop there. He joked that if Canada refused to comply with the tariff plan, it should be absorbed into the U.S. as the 51st state. Trump also suggested dividing Canada into two states—one liberal and one conservative—to better fit the American political landscape.

A dinner attendee noted that without this division, the U.S. would inherit “one very liberal state.” Trudeau and his team reportedly laughed nervously at the suggestion of annexation.

This isn’t the first time Trump has used humour and bluntness in his dealings with allies. His approach underscores his strategy of mixing light-hearted banter with serious economic threats. The meeting highlights the strained trade relations between the U.S. and Canada, particularly as Trump pushes for policies to protect American industries.

Donald Trump listened to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as they walked toward the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 11, 2017. AFP via Getty Images

Trump’s proposed tariffs and provocative remarks are critical for North American trade relations. With economic stability and national pride on the line, Trudeau faces the challenge of balancing diplomacy with defending Canada’s financial interests.

As the two leaders prepare for further talks, the world waits to see whether Trump’s “Governor of Canada” joke remains playful banter or signals a tougher stance on trade policy.