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Donald Trump, never one to shy away from controversial ideas, renewed his call for the annexation of Canada by the United States on Monday, following the resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trump used the occasion to revisit his vision of a consolidated North America, arguing that Trudeau’s resignation could open the door for deeper integration between the neighboring nations.
“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,” incoming President Trump posted on social media.
“Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!” he added.
On Monday, Justin Trudeau declared his intention to step down as prime minister, stating that he would vacate the position once the ruling Liberal Party selects a new leader. His decision comes in the wake of months marked by declining approval ratings and growing factional tensions within the party.
“I intend to resign as party leader, as Prime Minister, after the party selects its next leader,” Trudeau, who has been in power since 2015, told reporters in Ottawa following a protracted political crisis that saw top Liberal allies urge him to quit.
There was no immediate clarification regarding how long Justin Trudeau would act as a caretaker prime minister, as the exact transition period was left undetermined at the time of his announcement.
Read also: Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Resigns Amidst Pressure
He said the Liberal leadership race would be “a robust, nationwide competitive process.”
That means Trudeau will continue to lead Canada when Trump takes office this month and will be tasked with leading the country’s initial response to the new US administration, including a possible trade war.
According to AFP, Trump had vowed to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian imports, which could prove devastating to the Canadian economy, and Trudeau had pledged to retaliate.
Before taking over the Liberal Party in 2013, Trudeau, now 53, was not a leading political figure.
His most prominent political attribute at the time was arguably the fact that his father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, had been one of Canada’s most famous prime ministers.
