'There Isn't Snowball's Chance In Hell': Justin Trudeau Responds To Trump's Idea Of Canada As 51st US State

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dismissed US President-elect Donald Trump's suggestion of using "economic force" to make Canada the 51st US state. In a post on X, Justin Trudeau, who recently announced his resignation, stated, "There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,'' emphasizing the mutual benefits of the nations' trading and security partnership.

The remark stemmed from Donald Trump’s comments at Mar-a-Lago when asked about acquiring Canada. He clarified he was not considering military action but ''economic force,'' adding, ''Canada and the United States, that would really be something.'' 

There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.

Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other’s biggest trading and security partner.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 7, 2025

Trump has often criticised Canada’s trade surplus with the US and called the border an ''artificially drawn line.'' He also threatened a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian imports, which account for 75 per cent of Canada’s exports to the US.

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Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly condemned Trump’s remarks, calling them a "complete lack of understanding" of Canada’s strength and reiterating that Canada would never yield to threats. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre also rebuffed the idea, stating on X, “Canada will never be the 51st state. Period. We are a great and independent country.”

Justin Trudeau announced plans to step down amid mounting pressure from lawmakers concerned about his Liberal Party's declining popularity. With elections due by October 20, polls predict a sweeping victory for the opposition Conservatives, bolstered by Trump ally Elon Musk’s endorsement of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.

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Meanwhile, Canada’s main stock index fell for the second consecutive day on Tuesday. The S&P/TSX composite index closed 0.3 per cent lower at 24,929.89, impacted by rising US borrowing costs and a significant decline in technology shares.

(With Reuters Inputs)