Canada responded to Trump's words about the country joining the U.S.

The Canadian government is ready to defend national interests in connection with the statements of the newly elected U. S. President Donald Trump that Canada may become an "American state". Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said on December 10.

"Our state is absolutely determined to defend its interests," - quotes her words CBC TV channel.

Freeland noted that Canada is a sovereign state that adheres to two principles: not to start an escalation and not to retreat. She added that this is a "very Canadian approach" that has always worked.

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Earlier, on December 3, Trump said during a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Canada could become the 51st US state if Ottawa fails to address illegal migration and drug smuggling. The President-elect of the United States noted that already on the day of his inauguration, January 20, 2025, will impose import duties of 25% on all Canadian goods, if Ottawa does not manage to fundamentally change the situation with migration across the Canadian border.

Prior to that, on November 25, it became known about the readiness of the Canadian authorities to increase defense spending in order to more quickly reach the level of military indicators compliant with NATO standards in cooperation with the Trump administration.