Liberal minister says Trump was joking about Canada becoming 51st state

OTTAWA — Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc says president-elect Donald Trump was joking when he suggested Canada become the 51st U.S. state during a dinner with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Florida on Friday.

Fox News reported on Monday that Trump made the comment in response to the Canadians raising concerns that tariffs would hurt their economy.

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LeBlanc, who attended the dinner with Trudeau, says the incoming president’s suggestion was “in no way a serious comment.”

He described the meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate as a lighthearted social evening.

Earlier last week, Trump threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico unless the two countries stop migrants and illicit drugs such as fentanyl from entering the U.S.

LeBlanc said on Monday that the group discussed the impact of tariffs on Americans during the meeting, including how imposing tariffs on Canada would hurt the U.S. economy as well.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2024.

Nojoud Al Mallees, The Canadian Press