According to the Canadian ambassador to the U.S., the notion of Canada becoming the 51st state is now firmly in the rearview mirror, much to the relief of many who prefer their maple syrup independent. U.S. President Donald Trump has, it seems, decided to put this particular idea to rest during recent discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
In a recent tête-à-tête at the White House, U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, noted that this meeting provided the perfect opportunity to bury the idea. “It’s done,” Hoekstra declared. “From both the president’s and my standpoint, the 51st state proposal is off the table. Sure, the president might throw it out there from time to time, but he knows it won’t materialize without direct engagement from the prime minister.”
During this Oval Office gathering, which was reportedly devoid of any agenda focused on Canadian sovereignty, Trump nevertheless reiterated his sentiment that Canada would benefit from being part of the U.S. He referred to the “artificially drawn line” that separates the two nations as a barrier to a potential “wonderful marriage” of governance.
In a delightful twist, Prime Minister Carney, perhaps channeling the spirit of a real estate mogul’s skepticism, remarked that not all property—especially that of a sovereign nation—can be deemed “for sale.” “It’s not for sale. Won’t be for sale, ever,” he asserted. Trump, not one to take “never” at face value, cheekily replied, “Never say never.”
Following their lunch, reporters pressed Carney about whether he had urged Trump to keep his comments about Canadian sovereignty to a minimum. Carney confirmed he did, albeit with a hint of uncertainty about the president’s receptiveness to such advice. “Well, look, I don’t know. He’s the president; he’s his own person,” Carney stated with a wry smile.
Despite Trump’s musings during the meeting, Hoekstra maintained that the conversation had effectively cleared the air. “The president clearly acknowledged it takes two to tango,” he noted. “That chapter is closed. It never really hindered our discussions on other important matters. Now, we can focus on building a framework for future collaboration.”
Canada and US ‘Great Friends’
Stepping into his new role just a few weeks ago, Hoekstra emphasized the enduring friendship between the U.S. and Canada. Having served as the U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump’s first term, he is no stranger to the delicate ballet of international relations. “We are great friends. We have been great friends for such a long time. Those personal and economic relationships are not going to change,” he stated confidently.
The ambassador acknowledged recent tensions, particularly surrounding U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, but emphasized that these issues are part of a broader economic dialogue rather than a personal vendetta against Canada. Hoekstra insists that Trump’s approach is consistent with his campaign promises to protect U.S. interests in trade, which, while perhaps clumsy at times, is part of a global strategy.
“When you take a global approach, yes, Canada falls within that,” he highlighted. “Some folks may not appreciate this strategy, but it’s in line with what the president committed to during his campaign.”
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
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