Newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump has once again expressed his desire to make Canada the 51st state of the United States. Since his victory in November, Trump has repeatedly floated the idea, and on Tuesday, January 7, he shared a map on his social media platform, Truth Social, depicting Canada as part of the United States.

In the map, Trump reasserted his vision of incorporating Canada into the U.S., calling it the "51st state." Just a day earlier, Trump had made a similar statement following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement of his resignation. On Truth Social, Trump claimed that many Canadians would welcome the idea, citing trade imbalances and Canada’s reliance on subsidies to sustain its economy.

He wrote, “Many Canadians would love to be the 51st state of the United States. The massive trade deficit with Canada and their dependence on subsidies cannot continue. Justin Trudeau knew this, and that’s why he resigned.”

However, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau strongly opposed Trump’s remarks. Addressing the claims, Trudeau made it clear that Canada would never become part of the United States. Speaking on the matter, he stated, “Canada and the U.S. are each other’s largest trading partners and key allies in security. This partnership benefits workers and societies in both countries, but Canada will never be part of the United States.”

In a post on the microblogging site X, Trudeau reiterated his stance, saying, “There is no scenario in which Canada becomes part of the United States. Our countries benefit immensely from mutual trade and security cooperation, but Canada’s sovereignty is non-negotiable.”

Trudeau’s response came amidst mounting political pressure within his own Liberal Party, where a decline in popularity has led to criticism from party lawmakers. On January 6, Trudeau announced his decision to step down as Prime Minister, although he will remain in office until his party selects a new leader.

Trump’s remarks have sparked widespread debate, with many Canadian citizens and political figures rejecting the notion of annexation. Experts note that while the U.S. and Canada maintain strong bilateral relations, any suggestion of merging the two nations undermines their distinct national identities and sovereignty.

Sources: Times of India and Reuters