Donald Trump is not joking when he says he91裸聊视频檇 like to make Canada the 51st state, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday, adding that the U.S. president91裸聊视频檚 annexation plans are related to Canada91裸聊视频檚 supply of critical minerals.
Trudeau made the remarks to more than 100 business, labour and industry leaders who were invited to an economic summit in Toronto hosted by the government and its advisory council on Canada-U.S. relations.
His comments about Trump were made behind closed doors after reporters were ushered out of the room. The Toronto Star was able to hear what Trudeau was saying because the audio was inadvertently broadcast.
91裸聊视频淭hey91裸聊视频檙e very aware of our resources, of what we have and they very much want to be able to benefit from those,91裸聊视频� Trudeau said, as reported by the Toronto Star.
91裸聊视频淏ut Mr. Trump has it in mind that one of the easiest ways of doing that is absorbing our country. And it is a real thing.91裸聊视频�
Trudeau91裸聊视频檚 comments represent a marked shift in tone for his government.
Trump91裸聊视频檚 statements about making Canada the 51st state first made headlines in December, shortly after Trudeau and then-public safety minister Dominic LeBlanc visited Trump91裸聊视频檚 Mar-a-Lago estate a few days after Trump said he would impose tariffs on Canada the day he was inaugurated.
LeBlanc, who has since become the finance minister, initially told reporters it was clear Trump was joking and suggested that was a sign the relationship was going well.
But Trump hasn91裸聊视频檛 stopped openly musing about taking over Canada. He has said he would use 91裸聊视频渆conomic force91裸聊视频� to make it happen and has repeatedly told reporters Canada can avoid sweeping tariffs if it becomes a state.
Transport Minister Anita Anand, Industry Minister Fran莽ois-Philippe Champagne and Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon were asked about Trudeau91裸聊视频檚 comments in Toronto on Friday.
Anand said it91裸聊视频檚 clear that everyone at the summit agreed on one thing. 91裸聊视频淎nd that is, there will be no messing with the 49th parallel,91裸聊视频� she said.
91裸聊视频淐anada is free. Canada is sovereign. Canada will choose its own destiny, thank you very much,91裸聊视频� MacKinnon said.
Trump91裸聊视频檚 plan to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods, with a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy, has been put on hold until March 4.
The president said in a social media post on Feb. 3 that Canada had agreed to address his concerns about fentanyl crossing the U.S. border, and the next month would determine 91裸聊视频渨hether or not a final Economic deal with Canada can be structured.91裸聊视频�
His administration also has ordered a study of the United States91裸聊视频� trading relationship with Canada, due by April 1.
In his public comments at the summit Friday morning, Trudeau said the month-long extension on potential tariffs is something Canada 91裸聊视频渘eeds to use.91裸聊视频� He said there is no reason to move forward with the tariffs.
91裸聊视频淲e need to be very deliberate about how we continue to engage closely with the United States, to make the case and demonstrate that Canada is responsible for a tiny part of the North American fentanyl problem, but that we are also very bitterly touched by this tragedy,91裸聊视频� he said.
91裸聊视频淥ver the next 30 days, we will demonstrate that even the tiny amount that is Canada91裸聊视频檚 responsibility into the United States is going to reduce even further.91裸聊视频�
Champagne said he91裸聊视频檚 been in Washington, D.C., this week making the case against tariffs.
91裸聊视频淥ne thing that I made clear is that the supply chain are very integrated, and that Canada is prepared and willing to work with our American friends on the basis of mutual respect, respecting our sovereignty, respecting the dignity of our workers and our industry,91裸聊视频� he said.
91裸聊视频淎nd they understand now better than ever that you cannot pick on Canada and make life more affordable for Americans.91裸聊视频�
Beth Burke, CEO of the Canadian American Business Council, said she doesn91裸聊视频檛 think her fellow Americans believe Trump91裸聊视频檚 threat is real or want to take over Canada.
91裸聊视频淚 think our perception is more that it is one from a position of negotiation and posturing and using it as leverage in the conversation,91裸聊视频� she said, adding that Canada and the U.S. should be 91裸聊视频渄oubling down on the relationship91裸聊视频� through things like critical minerals.
The tariff threat and the volatility of the Trump administration have many business and labour leaders in Canada urging the federal government to look for other trading partners and ways to strengthen internal trade.
Trudeau said that91裸聊视频檚 part of the strategic thinking needed to make the economy resilient.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 about time we have genuine free trade in Canada,91裸聊视频� he said, adding that trade with the U.S. and the rest of the world is also essential.
Canada91裸聊视频檚 Committee on Internal Trade met last week to tackle interprovincial trade barriers, something that was called for by premiers at a recent First Ministers91裸聊视频� meeting.
Former Alberta premier Rachel Notley said that while it91裸聊视频檚 unlikely all interprovincial trade barriers can be eliminated in under a month, there seems to be a 91裸聊视频渞enewed commitment to letting go of some of the historic rationales91裸聊视频� behind them.
91裸聊视频淲ill we get rid of everything? Don91裸聊视频檛 be silly. But will we have a measurable impact on those and start making progress? I think we are well-placed to see that outcome,91裸聊视频� said Notley, a member of the advisory council on Canada-U.S. Relations.
91裸聊视频淚t is time for us in Canada to be able to work east-west with each other, rather than becoming as vulnerable as we have.91裸聊视频�
The summit brought together a wide range of people, including representatives from the Assembly of First Nations, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, municipalities, the auto sector and labour groups.
Benjamin Bergen, president of the Council of Canadian Innovators, said Canada needs to use this moment to be bold.
91裸聊视频淲e have to get our sh-t together and figure out (what) the world wants and sell it,91裸聊视频� he said.
