Trump Wants Canada To Become US 51st State For Natural Resources "Caplok"

Canadian illustration. (Unsplash)

JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump has again expressed his seriousness in inviting Canada to become the 51st US state. Trump disclosed this in an interview session broadcast during the Super Bowl pre-show, Sunday, February 9 local time.

"Yes, indeed," Trump told Fox News Channel's Bret Baier when asked if his talks regarding Canada were serious, quoted from AFP, Monday, February 10.

"I think Canada would be much better off if it became the 51st state because we lost 200 billion US dollars per year with Canada. And I won't let that happen," Trump continued.

Trump said it was much better for Canada to become the 51st US state. He reasoned that the US had spent 200 billion US dollars per year for Canada.

"Why do we pay $200 billion per year, which is basically a subsidy for Canada?" Trump continued.

The US is known not to disburse subsidies to Canada. The US buys products from countries rich in natural resources or natural resources, including commodities such as oil.

This is also related to the trade gap in US goods which has swelled to 72 billion US dollars in 2023, the deficit largely reflects Canadian energy imports by the US.

Trump has repeatedly stated Canada would be better off agreeing to its offer to become the 51st US state.

Earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Trump's desire to make Canada the 51st US state was a "real thing" and it was to access Canadian country's natural resources. Trudeau conveyed this to business leaders and laborers in a closed meeting on Friday 7 February.

"They are very aware of our resources, what we have, and they really want to benefit from that," Trudeau said according to CBC media.