Rubio explains Trump’s position on Canada becoming the 51st state
Washington is prepared to keep collaborating with Ottawa, but the US Secretary of State emphasized that “there has to be reciprocity” in trade. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Washington is prepared to continue its collaboration with Ottawa, but US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that "there has to be reciprocity" in trade.
US President Donald Trump's proposition for Canada to become part of the United States came “logically” after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly stated that Canada's existence would be jeopardized if higher import tariffs were implemented by Washington, according to Rubio.
In an interview with Canadian-American journalist Catherine Herridge published on Thursday, Rubio recounted a discussion between Trump and Trudeau, in which the Prime Minister allegedly indicated that Canada would struggle under increased tariffs.
“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 remarked.
Earlier, Trump had declared that he would impose 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports to the US, including those from Canada, starting in March. Rubio asserted that while Canada remains a neighbor and ally, the practice of permitting trade imbalances must cease.
“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 expressed.
Trump has previously asserted that Canada would not survive as a nation without receiving substantial subsidies from the US, as well as military protection.
According to Trump, the solution would be for Canada to join the United States, which he claims would result in “much lower taxes, far better military protection for the people of Canada, and no tariffs.” He has also suggested that Canadian citizens “would like” the idea “if it's explained [to them].”
However, this suggestion has faced significant backlash from Canadian officials. Trudeau called it a “non-starter,” stating that many citizens oppose the idea. He suggested that the US seeks to “benefit” from Canada’s natural resources, warning 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 asserted, “Canada will never be the 51st state. Period. We are a great and independent country.” New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh characterized the proposal as absurd, claiming that no Canadian desires such a union.
In early February, Trump implemented a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, alongside a 10% tariff on imports from China, citing concerns over illegal immigration and drug trafficking. In retaliation, Canada announced its own 25% tariffs on a broad array of American-made goods. However, Washington and Ottawa later consented to postpone the tariffs' implementation until March 4.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
US President Donald Trump's proposition for Canada to become part of the United States came “logically” after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly stated that Canada's existence would be jeopardized if higher import tariffs were implemented by Washington, according to Rubio.
In an interview with Canadian-American journalist Catherine Herridge published on Thursday, Rubio recounted a discussion between Trump and Trudeau, in which the Prime Minister allegedly indicated that Canada would struggle under increased tariffs.
“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 remarked.
Earlier, Trump had declared that he would impose 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports to the US, including those from Canada, starting in March. Rubio asserted that while Canada remains a neighbor and ally, the practice of permitting trade imbalances must cease.
“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 expressed.
Trump has previously asserted that Canada would not survive as a nation without receiving substantial subsidies from the US, as well as military protection.
According to Trump, the solution would be for Canada to join the United States, which he claims would result in “much lower taxes, far better military protection for the people of Canada, and no tariffs.” He has also suggested that Canadian citizens “would like” the idea “if it's explained [to them].”
However, this suggestion has faced significant backlash from Canadian officials. Trudeau called it a “non-starter,” stating that many citizens oppose the idea. He suggested that the US seeks to “benefit” from Canada’s natural resources, warning 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 asserted, “Canada will never be the 51st state. Period. We are a great and independent country.” New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh characterized the proposal as absurd, claiming that no Canadian desires such a union.
In early February, Trump implemented a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, alongside a 10% tariff on imports from China, citing concerns over illegal immigration and drug trafficking. In retaliation, Canada announced its own 25% tariffs on a broad array of American-made goods. However, Washington and Ottawa later consented to postpone the tariffs' implementation until March 4.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
