Rubio clarifies Trump's position on the possibility of Canada becoming the 51st state
Washington is prepared to maintain collaboration with Ottawa; however, the US Secretary of State emphasized that “there has to be reciprocity” in trade.
TroibNews 
Washington is prepared to maintain its collaboration with Ottawa, but US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that “there has to be reciprocity” in trade.
Rubio argued that US President Donald Trump's suggestion to absorb Canada followed “logically” after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly indicated that Canada would not survive higher import tariffs. Rubio discussed this exchange in an interview with Canadian-American journalist Catherine Herridge published on Thursday, recalling Trudeau's warning that increased tariffs would jeopardize Canada's existence.
“Trudeau says, ‘if you impose [new tariffs], if you even out our trade relationship, then we will cease to exist as a country.’ At which point the president responded very logically, and that is ‘if you can't exist without cheating and trade, then you should become a [US] state,’” Rubio stated.
Earlier, Trump announced a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports to the US, including those from Canada, set to take effect in March. Rubio underscored that despite Canada being a neighbor and partner, the time for tolerating trade imbalances has passed.
“We can continue to work together on all kinds of things, but whether it’s Canada, Mexico, China, or any other partner, when it comes to economics and trade, there has to be reciprocity, there has to be fairness,” Rubio said.
Trump has previously asserted that Canada could not stand as an independent nation without substantial financial support from the US and military protection. He proposed that if Canada were to join the US, it would lead to “much lower taxes, far better military protection for the people of Canada, and no tariffs.” He also suggested that Canadian citizens “would like” this idea “if it's explained [to them].”
However, this suggestion has been met with considerable backlash from Canadian officials. Trudeau dismissed it as a “non-starter,” noting that “many citizens” were also against the notion. He expressed concern that the US seeks to "benefit" from Canada’s natural resources through absorption, stating that “Trump has it in mind that one of the easiest ways of doing that is absorbing our country, and it is a real thing.”
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre declared, “Canada will never be the 51st state. Period. We are a great and independent country.” New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh labeled the suggestion as absurd, maintaining that no Canadian desires such a union.
In early February, Trump initiated a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, along with an additional 10% on imports from China, citing concerns over illegal immigration and drug trafficking. In retaliation, Canada announced its own 25% tariffs on a wide range of American-produced goods, although both Washington and Ottawa later agreed to postpone these tariffs until March 4.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
Rubio argued that US President Donald Trump's suggestion to absorb Canada followed “logically” after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly indicated that Canada would not survive higher import tariffs. Rubio discussed this exchange in an interview with Canadian-American journalist Catherine Herridge published on Thursday, recalling Trudeau's warning that increased tariffs would jeopardize Canada's existence.
“Trudeau says, ‘if you impose [new tariffs], if you even out our trade relationship, then we will cease to exist as a country.’ At which point the president responded very logically, and that is ‘if you can't exist without cheating and trade, then you should become a [US] state,’” Rubio stated.
Earlier, Trump announced a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports to the US, including those from Canada, set to take effect in March. Rubio underscored that despite Canada being a neighbor and partner, the time for tolerating trade imbalances has passed.
“We can continue to work together on all kinds of things, but whether it’s Canada, Mexico, China, or any other partner, when it comes to economics and trade, there has to be reciprocity, there has to be fairness,” Rubio said.
Trump has previously asserted that Canada could not stand as an independent nation without substantial financial support from the US and military protection. He proposed that if Canada were to join the US, it would lead to “much lower taxes, far better military protection for the people of Canada, and no tariffs.” He also suggested that Canadian citizens “would like” this idea “if it's explained [to them].”
However, this suggestion has been met with considerable backlash from Canadian officials. Trudeau dismissed it as a “non-starter,” noting that “many citizens” were also against the notion. He expressed concern that the US seeks to "benefit" from Canada’s natural resources through absorption, stating that “Trump has it in mind that one of the easiest ways of doing that is absorbing our country, and it is a real thing.”
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre declared, “Canada will never be the 51st state. Period. We are a great and independent country.” New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh labeled the suggestion as absurd, maintaining that no Canadian desires such a union.
In early February, Trump initiated a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, along with an additional 10% on imports from China, citing concerns over illegal immigration and drug trafficking. In retaliation, Canada announced its own 25% tariffs on a wide range of American-produced goods, although both Washington and Ottawa later agreed to postpone these tariffs until March 4.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
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