Half of Canadians Support Merging with the US, Says Tycoon
Celebrity investor Kevin O’Leary suggested that Trump's proposal to annex Canada could create opportunities for both nations. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Kevin O'Leary, a Canadian investor and star of Shark Tank, recently commented on Donald Trump’s proposal for Canada to become America’s “51st state,” interpreting it as an opportunity to enhance economic relations between the two neighboring countries. O’Leary expressed that a significant number of Canadians might support deeper connections with the United States.
Trump stirred controversy in Ottawa when he suggested that Canadians would gain advantages if their country were to be annexed as a state. “Canadians over the holidays – the last two days – have been talking about this. They want to hear more,” O’Leary stated during an appearance on Fox Business.
He acknowledged that there are complexities involved but underscored the potential benefits of closer collaboration between Canada and the U.S. “There’s obviously a lot of issues,” he remarked, adding that the Canadian public is eager to “understand what the proposal really is.”
O’Leary elaborated on the advantages of merging the two economies, emphasizing the importance of bolstering northern defenses against geopolitical threats. “Think about the power of combining the two economies, erasing the border between Canada and the United States and putting all that resource up to the northern borders where China and Russia are knocking on the door,” he argued.
The businessman also proposed various structural changes that could facilitate this union. “So secure [the northern territories], give a common currency, figure out taxes across the board, get everything trading both ways, create a new, almost EU-like passport – I like this idea and at least half of Canadians are interested,” he asserted.
“You don’t have to sell the country, you don’t even have to merge it, but you can create a union,” O’Leary remarked. He pointed out that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's unpopularity could further facilitate discussions on this topic as he may be losing political support.
Trump’s campaign focused on prioritizing American trade interests, threatening tariffs on Canadian imports. The discussion regarding Canada’s potential status reportedly emerged from a recent meeting between Trump and Trudeau at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who attended the meeting, clarified that Trump’s reference to the 51st state was made “in no way a serious comment.”
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
Trump stirred controversy in Ottawa when he suggested that Canadians would gain advantages if their country were to be annexed as a state. “Canadians over the holidays – the last two days – have been talking about this. They want to hear more,” O’Leary stated during an appearance on Fox Business.
He acknowledged that there are complexities involved but underscored the potential benefits of closer collaboration between Canada and the U.S. “There’s obviously a lot of issues,” he remarked, adding that the Canadian public is eager to “understand what the proposal really is.”
O’Leary elaborated on the advantages of merging the two economies, emphasizing the importance of bolstering northern defenses against geopolitical threats. “Think about the power of combining the two economies, erasing the border between Canada and the United States and putting all that resource up to the northern borders where China and Russia are knocking on the door,” he argued.
The businessman also proposed various structural changes that could facilitate this union. “So secure [the northern territories], give a common currency, figure out taxes across the board, get everything trading both ways, create a new, almost EU-like passport – I like this idea and at least half of Canadians are interested,” he asserted.
“You don’t have to sell the country, you don’t even have to merge it, but you can create a union,” O’Leary remarked. He pointed out that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's unpopularity could further facilitate discussions on this topic as he may be losing political support.
Trump’s campaign focused on prioritizing American trade interests, threatening tariffs on Canadian imports. The discussion regarding Canada’s potential status reportedly emerged from a recent meeting between Trump and Trudeau at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who attended the meeting, clarified that Trump’s reference to the 51st state was made “in no way a serious comment.”
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
