“Canada only works as a state. We don’t need anything they have … [W]hy should we subsidize another country for $200 billion?”
So boomed President Donald Trump in regards to Canada becoming a “51st state” – a rather startling proposition for many Americans.
“If people wanted to play the game right, it would be 100 percent certain that they’d become a state,” Trump mused.
Interesting point … except that Canada now has a new sheriff in town.
*America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country … [T]hese are not idle threats … Our old relationship with the United States, a relationship based on steadily increasing integration, is over,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney proclaimed.
A rather frightening state of affairs … until the two leaders actually sit down and talk to each other.
Which, rather fortunately, just happened.
Amusingly, despite meeting in person, the Trump administration remained keen on making Canada a 51ststate, almost as if to emphasizes the still (presumably) stable relationship between the two nations.
“Somebody drew that line many years ago with, like, a ruler – just a straight line right across the top of the country,” Trump mused.
On his part, Carney declared that he was apparently having violent internal reaction to Trump’s declarations.
“I’m glad that you couldn’t tell what was going through my mind,” Carney retorted.
According to a report from The Hill, Trump was sure to rile Carney as the prime minister made a visit to the United States, chiefly with his 51st state discussion.
“Trump repeated his fantasy of making Canada our 51st state, while Carney politely and firmly replied ‘never.’ It could have been much worse. In fact, both leaders showed respect, and could develop a good personal relationship. Since Trump believes international affairs are little more than personal relations among leaders, this is no small achievement,” The Hill noted.
Rather amazing, actually. Even The Hill gave a somewhat positive response to the meeting.
Emphasis on somewhat.
“But don’t draw any sweeping conclusions … Trump’s determination to impose punishing tariffs on Canada (and Mexico), combined with his enthusiasm for absorbing Canada, had sent downhill previously good relations between Washington and Ottawa,” The Hill detailed.
And that declaration might be due to Trump’s admittedly cheeky three-word reply to Carney.
“Never say never,” Trump reportedly retorted to Carney.
In response, Carney effectively declared, “never,” once again.
Quite emphatically, actually, as he included a veritable monologue of information.
“As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale … We’re sitting in one right now, Buckingham Palace that you visited, as well. And having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign the last several months, it’s not for sale, it won’t be for sale, ever. But the opportunity is in the partnership and what we can build together,” Carney declared.
And what exactly will be built? That remains to be seen, but at least the two leaders are talking.
Of course, the media has more dramatic ideas.
“Americans did not consciously vote for Trump to ravage Canada politically or economically, not to mention how stunned they were at his hostile language on Greenland and Panama,” The Hill intoned.
Fair point … but Americans haven’t voted for most of the policies that have emerged this century anyway.
Author: Jane Jones
