Donald Trump has claimed that Canada is considering becoming the “cherished 51st State” of the US. It comes just hours after King Charles said Canada is facing a “critical moment”.
Trump previously said Canada could avoid higher tariffs on steel and aluminium if it joined the US. The King made a speech, which was written for him by Canada’s government, to the Senate in Ottawa on Tuesday, which many saw as a symbol of support for the country following Trump’s threats. As reported by the Independent, while Charles made no direct reference to the US president, he told the parliament its government is “determined to protect” a number of values including “self-determination”.
He said: “Today, Canada faces another critical moment. Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the government is determined to protect.
“The system of open global trade that, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades, is changing. Canada’s relationships with its partners are also changing. We must be clear-eyed: the world is a more dangerous and uncertain place than at any point since the Second World War. Canada is facing challenges that are unprecedented in our lifetimes.”
Trump has since claimed that Canada “very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System”. The multi-layer defense system is designed to counter the threat of missiles posed to the mainland.
He said on Truth Social: “I told Canada, which very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System, that it will cost $61 Billion Dollars if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation, but will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State. They are considering the offer!”
In his speech, which lasted 26 minutes, Charles said the Canadian government would “protect Canada’s sovereignty by rebuilding, rearming, and reinvesting in the Canadian armed forces”.
Trump recently announced his tariffs on Canadian metals would increase from 25% to 50%. After the Canadian province of Ontario announced a 25% extra charge on electricity going to the US, Trump said that “the only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State.” He added: “This would make all Tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear.”
Trump said on social media: “Based on Ontario, Canada, placing a 25% Tariff on ‘Electricity’ coming into the United States, I have instructed my Secretary of Commerce to add an ADDITIONAL 25% Tariff.”
He has also threatened new tariffs on cars if Canada fails to drop its taxes on the US. He said: “All we’re doing is we’re saying, ‘we don’t want your cars, in all due respect. We want, really, to make our own cars.'”
