Trump Says He Would Use ‘Economic Force’ to Merge Canada With US, Promises ‘Substantial’ Tariffs
Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump says he may use economic pressure as a strategy to merge Canada with the United States.
During a Jan. 7 press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump was asked whether he would ever use the U.S. military to annex Canada, to which he replied, “no, economic force.”
He said merging the two countries and getting rid of the “artificially drawn” border would “really be something.”
Trump said the United States was losing hundreds of millions of dollars per year to “subsidize” Canada, and said the United States does not need to rely on Canadian products like lumber, dairy, and automotives.
“We don’t need the dairy products. We have more than they have. We don’t need anything. So why are we losing $200 billion a year, and more, to protect Canada,” he said.
During the press conference, Trump confirmed he would be imposing “substantial” tariffs on Canada and Mexico when he takes office on Jan. 20. Trump has previously threatened to put 25 percent tariffs on both countries if they fail to secure their borders and stop the flow of illegal drugs and immigration.
According to Trump, when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited him at his Florida residence in December, Trump asked him what would happen if he imposed the 25 percent tariffs.
“He said, ‘Canada would dissolve. Canada wouldn’t be able to function,’” Trump said….
