Sources say the incoming U.S. president joked with the prime minister after Trudeau said tariffs would kill Canada’s economy
What neither mentioned was a joke by Trump to the effect that Canada should consider becoming America’s 51st (and perhaps also 52nd) state, with the prime minister taking on the title of governor.
According to sources, Trudeau said that the tariff would kill the Canadian economy, to which Trump replied by asking whether Canada can survive without ripping off the U.S. to the tune of US$100 billion a year.
He then suggested to Trudeau that Canada could become America’s 51st state, and that while prime minister is a better title, Trudeau could instead become governor. Sources reported nervous laughter from the prime minister and others in the room at this remark.
When someone else at the table noted that Canada would be a very liberal state, Trump then suggested breaking Canada into two states, one conservative and one liberal.
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