TRUMP RENEWS CALL FOR CANADA TO BECOME 51ST U.S. STATE, CLAIMS AMERICA DOES NOT NEED ITS NORTHERN NEIGHBOUR

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES | OCTOBER 14, 2026 — United States President Donald Trump has renewed his controversial suggestion that Canada will eventually become America’s 51st state, arguing that the United States does not need its northern neighbour as much as Canada depends on the American economy.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, on Wednesday, Trump revisited longstanding trade grievances with Canada, including Canadian tariffs on dairy products and the movement of automobile manufacturing operations to the United States.

“They’ll end up being the 51st state, because that’s the only way it works,” Trump told supporters.

“We don’t need them, but they need us,” the president added.

Trump also questioned what he characterized as billions of dollars in American financial support for Canada, suggesting that the United States should not continue what he considers an unequal economic relationship.

The president’s remarks included references to renaming Lake Ontario as “Lake America” and comparisons between Canada’s future and his administration’s interest in Greenland.

“They’ll be doing something just like Greenland,” Trump declared.

The latest comments represent another escalation in Trump’s repeated public suggestions that Canada should become part of the United States, an idea that Canadian political leaders have consistently rejected.

Trump has previously argued that closer political integration would eliminate trade barriers and provide economic benefits to Canadians. However, his characterization of trade deficits as American subsidies to Canada has been disputed, as trade deficits do not themselves represent direct government payments.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has previously rejected Trump’s proposals, making clear that Canada is a sovereign country and is not available for acquisition.

During a White House meeting in May 2025, Carney told Trump that Canada was not for sale and would never be for sale.

The renewed remarks come amid continuing tensions over tariffs, trade policy and the future of economic relations between the two countries, which share one of the world’s most significant bilateral trading relationships.

Despite Trump’s repeated statements, no formal proposal or agreed process exists for Canada to become an American state. Any such change would require fundamental constitutional and political decisions, including the consent of Canada.

The comments are likely to draw renewed attention to Canadian sovereignty and the future of diplomatic relations between Ottawa and Washington.

No immediate response from Prime Minister Carney to Wednesday’s specific remarks was established in the initial reports.