Ontario Premier Doug Ford shut down President-elect Donald Trump's bizarre threat to make Canada part of the United States before jokingly making a "counteroffer" to buy a few states instead.
Ford's response is the latest development since Trump made headlines for jabbing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with remarks about Canadian statehood.
Trump, who first brought up the idea during a November meeting with Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago over Trump's threat to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico because of their alleged failures to curb the flow of illegal immigrants and illicit drugs into the U.S., has since inflamed tensions by referring to Trudeau as the governor of the “great state of Canada."
Trump also said he would use "economic force" instead of "military force" to annex the country, saying:
“You get rid of the artificially drawn line and you take a look at what that looks like and it would also be much better national security. Don’t forget: We basically protect Canada." ...
"You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like, and it would also be much better for national security. Canada and the United States, that would really be something."
In response to Trump's remarks about annexing Canada, Ford gave the following snarky response:
"We have the greatest country in the world [and] we have the greatest province anywhere. This sovereign nation is Ontario and the rest of the provinces as well."
“You know something, to the president, I’ll make him a counteroffer. How about if we buy Alaska, and we’ll throw in Minnesota and Minneapolis at the same time?"
"It’s not realistic. I know he likes making these comments and he likes joking around. I take that seriously. Under my watch, that will never, ever happen."
Unlike Trump, Ford was quick to note that he himself was joking, noting that "We’re proud Canadians just like Americans are proud."
You can hear what he said in the video below.
Many appreciated Ford's response and joined him in mocking Trump.
Trump has not backed down and earlier made the bogus claim in a post on Truth Social that “Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State," adding that the U.S. "can no longer suffer the massive Trade Deficits and Subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this, and resigned.”
Trump's words came after Trudeau announced his resignation, stating he would remain in office until the governing Liberal Party selects a new leader, a process expected to conclude by late March. Canada's Parliament has been prorogued, or temporarily suspended, until March 24 to allow time for the leadership race.
His assertion that Canadians "LOVE being the 51st State" isn't based in reality and is likely based at least in part on "unofficial polling" aired on Fox News that "more than 70%" of Canadians might be open to an arrangement where Canada merges economically with the U.S. while maintaining its sovereignty.
However, more formal polling from Canadian market research firm Leger paints a different picture. In a survey conducted earlier this month, only 13% of Canadians expressed interest in the idea of Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state, while 82% were opposed to the notion.
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