Trudeau claims Trump is serious about annexing Canada: 'It is a real thing'

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday that US President Donald Trump’s remarks about annexing Canada should be taken seriously, calling them “a real thing” during an economic summit in Toronto.

"Mr. Trump has it in mind that the easiest way to do it is absorbing our country and it is a real thing," Trudeau told more than 100 business leaders following his opening address on economic issues related to Canada’s trade relationship with the US. His comments came just before the microphone cut out for a closed-door session, after which media were ushered out of the room.

According to a report by CBC, Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association explained the prime minister suggested that Trump’s annexation rhetoric is driven by Canada’s rich mineral resources.

"I think the prime minister did well to articulate to serious people in this country that Donald Trump is serious about coveting those resources," said Volpe, a member of Trudeau's Council on Canada-US Relations.

He added that while Trudeau was not suggesting an immediate annexation threat, “What he's saying is Donald Trump approaches this with less respect for Canadian sovereignty than we think an American president would have."

Trump has made comments in the past linking his tariff threats against Canada to the idea that the country should become the 51st US state. While many see these as jokes or negotiating tactics, Trudeau appears to be taking it more seriously. Trump’s annexation rhetoric dates back to at least November, when Trudeau and senior cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc visited Mar-a-Lago for discussions after Trump threatened tariffs on Canadian goods. At the time, LeBlanc suggested Trump was joking.

"There will be no messing with the 49th parallel," Internal Trade Minister Anita Anand declared at the summit.

“Canada is free, Canada is sovereign, Canada will choose its own destiny, thank you very much. But Canada is forever — so Canada will make its choices,” added Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon. "We will always, always, always, stand up for this country, for its people and for the ability to make our choices for ourselves."

Trump recently announced a temporary halt to a planned 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods for at least one month after Canada offered a proposal to strengthen border enforcement. The US president has frequently criticized weak border security on the northern and southern borders from US neighbors. Additionally, Trump has ordered a review of the US-Canada trade relationship, with findings due by April 1.

Trudeau has pushed back against the tariff threats, arguing that they would ultimately harm American consumers. After Trump initially announced he would be implementing 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods, Trudeau emphasized the importance of the US maintaining a strong economic partnership with Canada to usher in the “golden age” Trump has promised. At Friday’s summit, Trudeau reiterated that Canada must react to Trump’s rhetoric and find ways to deal with a potentially less cooperative US in the future.

"We are in a moment, a moment that we have to meet for Canadians, to see not just how we get through this particular challenge over the next 30 days or few months, but how we get through and thrive and grow stronger over the next four years, and into what may be a more challenging long-term political situation with the United States," Trudeau said.