In a moment that perfectly encapsulates the political theater of our era, President-elect Donald Trump referred to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the “Governor” of “the Great State of Canada” in a Truth Social post on Monday night.
The remark, dripping with Trump’s signature bravado and knack for stirring headlines, followed a meeting at Mar-a-Lago where the two leaders discussed tariffs and trade in a setting that appears to have mixed diplomacy with a side of humor—intentional or otherwise.
Trump’s post, which praised his Canadian counterpart as though he were an American state official, read: “It was a pleasure to have dinner the other night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada. I look forward to seeing the Governor again soon so that we may continue our in-depth talks on Tariffs and Trade, the results of which will be truly spectacular for all! DJT.”
HAHAHAHA the leader of the Canadian Green Party says she is "increasingly nervous" about President Trump's jokes about Canada as the 51st state:
"To the extent that this was a joke, it's not funny."pic.twitter.com/8I6E90ZpFj
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 10, 2024
This unexpected promotion of Canada to statehood came on the heels of a more serious discussion surrounding Trump’s proposal of a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico. Trump’s demand? Action on border security, drug trafficking, and illegal immigration—issues he framed as critical to America’s sovereignty and economic future.
The ultimatum put Canada in a defensive position, with Trudeau emphasizing the deep interdependence of the two nations' economies. From energy resources to agricultural goods, the Canadian prime minister highlighted the potential repercussions of escalating tariffs, warning they could backfire and inflict pain on both sides of the border.
Yet, as Trudeau attempted to navigate the tightrope between asserting Canada’s independence and maintaining a strong relationship with its southern neighbor, Trump’s bold commentary seemed to set the tone. According to reports, the prime minister reacted with a nervous laugh when Trump suggested that Canada consider becoming the 51st state if it couldn’t shoulder the burden of tariffs. This blend of sharp negotiation tactics and theatrical hyperbole is classic Trump, leaving observers guessing where the line between jest and strategy lies.
It. Is. Time. pic.twitter.com/mRIeWFLX5u
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) December 10, 2024
Meanwhile, Trudeau publicly struck a diplomatic yet firm tone. Hours before Trump’s “Governor” post, Trudeau warned that the proposed tariffs could lead to higher costs for American consumers and significant economic hardship. “Americans import 65% of their crude oil from Canada, significant amounts of electricity, and nearly all their natural gas exports come to us,” he pointed out, urging caution.