Trump mostly — but not entirely — rules out military action on Canada
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President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau in London in 2019. Photo: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images
President Trump on Sunday mostly ruled out taking military action to unify Canada and the United States — but he didn't rule it out entirely, and reiterated that he believes Canada should become the 51st state.
Why it matters: It would have been unthinkable, for more than a century of North American history — until six months ago — for a president to even allow the slightest hint of using any force with the U.S.'s northern neighbor and staunch ally.
Catch up quick: Trump has leaned heavily on the 51st state rhetoric since winning last November, insisting Canada needed the U.S. and not the other way around.
- His constant haranguing of the Canadian government, economy and people spurred a wave of nationalism that changed the course of the country's politics in a matter of weeks.
- Prime Minister Mark Carney won an election victory last Monday that was all but impossible just three months prior, riding that wave of nationalism and a message that the U.S.-Canada relationship was forever changed.
What they're saying: NBC's Kristen Welker, in an interview for "Meet the Press," asked Trump about his planned meeting with Carney this week and whether he'll keep pushing the 51st state idea.
- "I'll always talk about that. You know why? We subsidize Canada to the tune of $200 billion a year," Trump said.
- "Again, remember this, we don't need their cars, we don't need their lumber, we don't need their energy. We don't need anything. We do very little business with Canada," Trump said. (Canada is the largest destination for U.S. exports, per the U.S. Trade Representative's office.)
The intrigue: Welker asked Trump about the prospect of using military force to achieve control of both Canada and Greenland, another long-standing object of his desire.
- As to Canada, Trump said "Well, I think we're not going to ever get to that point. It could happen."
- As to Greeland, though, he was firmer: "Something could happen with Greenland. I'll be honest, we need that for national and international security."
Welker pressed Trump on Canada in particular, to which he eventually acknowledged "It's highly unlikely. I don't see it with Canada. I just don't see it, I have to be honest with you."
What to watch: Carney and Trump are due to meet at the White House on Tuesday.
- Trump has thus far been more respectful of Carney than his predecessor Justin Trudeau, who the president regularly belittled as "Governor Trudeau."
- "He's a very nice man, I think," Trump said of Carney.
