Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has issued a stark warning that U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to annex Canada are “a real thing,” driven by the U.S. leader’s desire to gain access to Canada’s vast reserves of critical minerals. The remarks came during a hastily convened summit in Toronto, where business and labor leaders gathered to coordinate a response to Trump’s looming threat of imposing a 25% tariff on all Canadian imports.
Earlier this week, Trump temporarily stepped back from implementing tariffs that could have devastated Canada’s economy, granting a 30-day reprieve for further negotiations. However, the U.S. president has continued to undermine Canadian sovereignty, referring to the country as the “51st state” on social media and repeatedly calling Trudeau “governor” instead of prime minister.
Trudeau told attendees at the summit that Trump’s annexation rhetoric, often dismissed as a negotiating tactic, should be taken seriously. “I suggest that not only does the Trump administration know how many critical minerals we have, but that may be even why they keep talking about absorbing us and making us the 51st state,” Trudeau reportedly said. “They’re very aware of our resources, of what we have, and they very much want to be able to benefit from those.”
Canada is a global leader in the production of minerals essential to the green energy transition, including lithium, graphite, nickel, copper, and cobalt. The country has positioned itself as a stable and reliable supplier of these resources to allied nations. Trump’s threats, however, have upended the longstanding relationship between the two neighbors, sparking a wave of patriotism and reshaping federal politics in Canada.
With a federal election on the horizon, Canadian political parties are scrambling to portray themselves as defenders of national sovereignty. In Quebec, where support for provincial sovereignty has historically been strong, recent polls show a decline in calls for secession. According to an Angus Reid survey, the percentage of Quebec residents who said they were “very proud” or “proud” to be Canadian rose from 45% to 58% between December and February.
Federal cabinet ministers sought to reassure Canadians during the summit. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne emphasized the mutual benefits of the U.S.-Canada relationship, stating, “Our American friends understand that they need Canada for their economic security, they need Canada for their energy security, and they need Canada for their national security.”
Trade Minister Anita Anand vowed to protect Canada’s borders, while Employment Minister Steven MacKinnon asserted, “Canada is free. Canada is sovereign. Canada will choose its own destiny, thank you very much.”
Experts Warn of Escalating Trade War
The first shots in the trade war between the U.S. and Canada have already been fired, with Trump’s tariff threats marking a significant escalation. Experts warn that if Trump’s annexation ambitions are genuine, the situation could deteriorate further.
“Annexing by economic force involves more than just tariffs,” said one analyst. “If Trump is serious about absorbing Canada, what comes next will be far worse.”
As Canadians rally against the perceived threat, the federal government is working to strengthen alliances and safeguard the nation’s resources. Trudeau’s administration has made it clear that Canada will not yield to external pressure, emphasizing the country’s commitment to sovereignty and self-determination.
The coming weeks will be critical as negotiations between the two nations continue, with the future of one of the world’s most important bilateral relationships hanging in the balance.
