“Canada Offers Surprise Counter-Deal: Will Pay for Alaska and Hawaii to Stay Canadian!”
A Potential Redrawing of the Map: Can Canada Become a US State?
In a recent conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, US President Donald Trump expressed his willingness to consider making Canada the 51st state of the US. While the comments were met with skepticism, Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded with a surprising counter-offer that has garnered attention worldwide.
According to a report by the New York Post, Ford suggested that instead of buying Canada, the US could sell Alaska and the state of Minnesota, including the city of Minneapolis. Ford believes that Trump may have been joking, but he took the idea of Canada becoming a state seriously, stating, “He may have been joking, but that would never happen on my watch.”
Trudeau, who recently announced his resignation as Canada’s leader, expressed his disappointment with Trump’s latest remarks on Twitter, stating, “The chances of Canada becoming part of the United States are slim to none. Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other’s largest trade and security partner.”
The tweet drew a response from billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk, who tweeted, “Girl, you’re not the Governor of Canada anymore so it doesn’t matter what you say.”
This is not the first time Ford has spoken out against Trump’s remarks since his 2024 presidential election win. Ford has threatened to hurt Americans with energy and beer if Trump imposes 25% tariffs on Canadian exports. He stated, “This is going to cut off the lights for a million Americans. If they turn on us, we have to stand up for Canadians, we have to stand up for Ontarians.”
While state or territory changes are unlikely, Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Canada could spark a trade war with one of the US’s largest partners. The situation continues to evolve ahead of Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
FAQ:
Q: Is Canada likely to become a US state?
A: It’s highly unlikely.
Q: What is the current trade relationship between Canada and the US?
A: The two countries have a large trade relationship, with the US being Canada’s largest trading partner.
Q: What industries are prominently featured in the iShares MSCI Canada ETF?
A: The industries with the largest ETF holdings are financials (37.3%), energy (18.0%), industrials (11.5%), information technology (10.8%), and materials (10.4%).
Conclusion:
While Trump’s comments about Canada becoming a US state may have been met with skepticism, the situation highlights the complexities of international trade relationships. The threat of tariffs on Canadian exports could have a significant impact on global trade, and the situation will continue to be closely monitored ahead of Trump’s inauguration. As the debate around global trade and economic power continues, it’s essential for leaders to prioritize cooperation and dialogue to maintain strong relationships between nations.
