Is Canada like the 51st state? Trump's joke at dinner with Trudeau raises questions
At a dinner between Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau, the discussion of duties turned into a joke by Trump about turning Canada into the 51st US state
At a recent dinner between former US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, an episode occurred that sparked a lively discussion. According to two sources present at the table, the dialogue between the leaders went beyond diplomatic conventions.
When Trudeau expressed concern about the economic consequences of new US duties, warning that such measures could "kill the Canadian economy," Trump responded in his usual manner with a joke that turned out to be far from harmless.
"If Canada can't survive without fleecing the United States for $100 billion annually, maybe you should become our 51st state," Trump allegedly said. At the same time, he added that Trudeau could take the role of governor, causing both smiles and intense glances at the table.
Despite the obvious sarcasm, this remark reflects the long-standing difficulties in US-Canadian trade relations. Trump's joke may have been intended to ease tensions in the conversation, but it also highlighted the asymmetry in power between the two countries that Canada often feels in negotiations with its southern neighbor.
For Trudeau, this could be a reminder of the delicacy of relations with the unpredictable American leader. The question of how far U.S. economic pressure can go remains open.
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