Summary

Donald Trump suggested Canada could become the U.S.’s “51st state,” claiming it would benefit Canadians through lower taxes and military protection.

The remark follows tensions over Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian imports, which shocked Canadian leaders, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who likened it to betrayal.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dismissed the annexation talk as unserious but unveiled a $1 billion border security plan to address U.S. concerns.

The escalating rhetoric, including insults from Trump ally Elon Musk, highlights strained Canada-U.S. relations ahead of Trump’s second term.

  • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldM
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    8 days ago

    Just one state? With 40 million people? Okay, enjoy the House of Representatives massively ballooning.

      • bitwise@lemmy.ca
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        8 days ago

        All of the apartheid, none of the citizenship!

        Can’t wait to be called a dirty snowback in my own city by my American masters!

    • anarchrist@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      8 days ago

      The house needs to balloon massively anyway. The numbers are way under where they have been historically for representatives per capita.

    • gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works
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      8 days ago

      It wouldn’t though. It would be reapportioned. It’s locked at 435 due to the 1929 Permanent Apportionment Act. You’ll note that 1929 precedes the introduction of both Alaska and Hawaii as states.

      The house being locked to that number diminishes the legislative (and electoral college) power of larger states (which is infuriatingly by-design).