Jagmeet Singh Warns President-elect Trump Against Threats to Canada: “Not Now, Not Ever”

Washington: In a bold and impassioned statement, Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP), warned U.S. President-elect Donald Trump against his controversial ambitions to merge Canada with the United States. Singh’s remarks, delivered in a video uploaded to X (formerly Twitter), came in response to Trump’s repeated claims that Canada could become the 51st state of the union.

“I want to tell Donald Trump something,” Singh declared. “Canada, our nation, is not for sale. Not now, not ever.” Singh emphasized Canada’s sovereignty and expressed confidence in Canadians’ resolve, saying they are patriotic citizens ready to “fight like hell to defend” their country.

Trump’s Controversial Statements

Trump, who is set to assume office later this month, has made no secret of his interest in incorporating Canada into the United States. In a series of posts on Truth Social, the President-elect claimed, “Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State.” He suggested that such a move would lead to significant economic and security benefits for Canada, including tax cuts, tariff eliminations, and enhanced military protection.

“If Canada merged with the US, there would be no tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them,” Trump posted earlier this month, in the wake of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation.

On Christmas Day, Trump reiterated his vision for a united North America, claiming that Canadian businesses would “double in size” and that the two nations together would form “a wonderful nation.”

Strong Reactions from Canadian Leaders

Canadian leaders have swiftly dismissed Trump’s comments. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who resigned late last year, firmly rejected the idea, stating, “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.” Trudeau emphasized the mutual benefits of the two nations remaining strong and independent trading and security partners.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly also responded, posting on X about her commitment to defending Canada’s interests. “I have an obligation to protect Canadians’ interests as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and I must do it with all of my time and effort,” she wrote.

Economic Implications and Trade Disputes

Trump’s threats to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports have further strained relations between the neighboring nations. Canada, which is the largest foreign supplier of oil to the U.S., exported goods valued at USD 419 billion to its southern neighbor in 2023. In response to Trump’s proposed tariffs, Canada is reportedly preparing a list of countermeasures, including significant taxes on American goods.

Singh addressed the potential economic fallout in his video, stating, “We will pay a price if Donald Trump believes he can start a war with us. I’ve promised that we should retaliate with tariffs of our own if Donald Trump puts them on us. I believe that anyone vying for the position of prime minister should do the same.”

Solidarity with the U.S. Amid Crises

Despite the rising tensions, Singh reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to supporting the U.S. during times of crisis. Referring to the recent devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, which have claimed at least 24 lives, Singh said, “We show up and support our neighbors. That is who we are.”

A Nation’s Stand

As Canada faces these unprecedented challenges, its leaders are united in their defense of the nation’s sovereignty and economic interests. Singh’s resolute stance echoes the sentiment of a proud and independent Canada that is unwilling to compromise its identity, even in the face of pressure from its closest ally.

While Trump’s provocative statements and policies may test the resilience of Canada-U.S. relations, the NDP leader’s declaration sends a clear message: Canada will not back down.

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