Canada called Trump's talk of annexing the country a distraction

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's talk of a possible annexation of Canada was a distraction designed to distract people from the impact of his proposed tariffs. This was reported by Reuters on January 9.

The agency informed that Trump, who has said he would impose tariffs of 25 percent on all Canadian imports unless Ottawa beefed up border security, said on Tuesday he was considering acquiring Canada through economic force.

"Oil, gas, electricity, steel, aluminum, lumber, concrete and everything that American consumers buy from Canada is suddenly going to become a lot more expensive if he pushes these tariffs," he told CNN.

Trudeau also emphasized that there is "no chance" that Canada will become part of the United States, with Ottawa introducing countermeasures if Trump follows through on that threat.

"But we don't want to do that because it raises prices for Canadians and hurts our closest trading partner," he concluded.

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Earlier on Jan. 7, Trump posted a map with Canada annexed to the U.S. on his Truth Social network. On the same day, he said that Greenland should become part of the United States to ensure national security and defense against alleged Chinese and Russian threats. At the same time, Trudeau also rejected Trump's proposal to make Canada the 51st state of the United States. Reacting to this, billionaire Ilon Musk, addressing Trudeau, called him a girl and pointed out that he no longer decides anything.

In turn, the Prime Minister of the Canadian province of Ontario, Doug Ford, offered to buy Alaska on January 7 amid Trump's statement. Ford added that under his watch, Canada's annexation to the United States will not happen.

Trump voiced the suggestion that Canada could become a new U.S. state during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Dec. 3, 2024. At the time, he added that an annexation could materialize if Ottawa fails to address illegal migration and drug smuggling.