Trump annexes Canada as the 51st state
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Donald Trump discussed Canada with the 51st state during their visit to the White House.
US-Canada relations have seen better days.
The president’s economic policies and bold comments have put a strain on the relationship, and tensions have escalated between the United States and one of its biggest trading partners since Donald Trump took office earlier this year. So how did you get here?
This is a short timeline of key moments in the mandatory partnership between the two countries so far.
Tuesday, January 7th: At a Mar-a-Lago press conference, Trump silently stoked Canada’s annexation and quickly got angry from then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“Canada and the US – it’s really something,” Trump said. “You’ll remove that artificially drawn line and see what it looks like, and it’ll also be much better for national security.” The presidential election at the time eliminated military power, but said he hopes the US can acquire neighboring countries in the north through “economic power.”
In response, Trudeau said, “Hell has no chance of snowman in hell, where Canada becomes part of the United States.”
Tuesday, January 21st: Trump says he is considering collecting blankets from Canadian imports starting February 1st.
Saturday, February 1st: Trump will impose a 25% tariff on most Canadian imports, plus a 10% tariff rate on energy such as natural gas and oil. Trudeau said Canada will respond to 25% tariffs on $15.5 billion in US goods, according to Reuters, which includes alcohol, wood and appliances.
Monday, February 3rd: Trump will suspend for 30 days at proposed US tariffs, citing efforts by Canadian leaders to secure borders. The announcement followed an afternoon call between Trump and Trudeau.
Monday, February 10th: Trump will slam 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, Canada’s key supplier. Approximately half of all aluminum used in the US is imported, most of which comes from Canada.
Thursday, February 20th: After Canada wins the 4 Nations Face-Off Hockey Tournament, Justin Trudeau shoots a patriotic jab in the US.
“You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game,” Trudeau said in X.
Canadian fans at sporting events are increasingly working on booing the American national anthem during matches against US teams.
Monday, March 10th: Mark Carney, the newly elected leader of Canada’s governing liberals, speaks in his first speech since Canada won the race “never, form or form” that “will never become part of America.”
The “Elbows Up” move has emerged in protest across social media platforms, encouraging Canadians to stand up and fight back against tariffs. Canadian nationalism and other forms of anti-American sentiment flourish.
Monday, May 4th: Trump once again eliminates military action against Canada, but repeats his desire to see the United States dominate the Great White North.
“I don’t think we’re going to get to that point,” Trump said in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” on May 4th.
Wednesday, March 12th: Canada and the European Union reveal retaliation against the US hours after Trump’s drastic tariffs on imported steel and aluminum imports.
Sunday, March 23rd: Carney is calling for an SNAP election to seek a national mandate to tackle economic challenges and Trump’s tariffs.
“We need to build the most powerful economy in the G7. We need to deal with President Trump’s tariffs,” Carney posted on X.
Friday, April 2nd: Trump has announced vast tariffs on what he calls “liberation day,” and declared a broad 10% tariff on imports from all countries. The four Republicans cross Trump in a failed attempt to stop further tariffs in Canada, and Carney vows to take retaliation.
Tuesday, April 29th: Carney claims that he won the snap election and ended his “old relationship” with the US with his victory remarks.
Tuesday, May 6th: Kearney tells Trump in his first oval office that Canada is not for sale. “But opportunities are partnerships and what we can build together.” Contributed by: Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy and Joey Garrison, USA Today.
Kathryn Palmer is a trending news reporter for USA Today. You can contact her kapalmer@usatoday.com And with x @Kathrynplmr.
