US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Canada for its low defense spending, indicating that he sees it as a country "unable to sustain itself" due to its heavy reliance on the United States for security and military issues.

The Washington Post reported Trump saying to reporters aboard Air Force One: "Canada is not a country that can sustain itself because it does not spend enough on defense, believing that the United States will always take care of its protection."

Trudeau responds: Trump's talk of annexing Canada to the US is "real"

In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed Trump's remarks, stating that the talk of possibly turning Canada into the 51st US state carries a real dimension and is linked to the desire of some American parties to exploit Canada’s rich natural resources. Trudeau commented in a press statement yesterday: "What President Trump is discussing reflects a vision related to Canada's natural wealth, but it does not reflect the reality of the political relationship between the two countries."

Tariffs between escalation and retreat

In another context, Trump had previously announced tariffs of up to 25% on most Canadian goods, a move that raised widespread concerns in Canadian economic circles. However, Trudeau pledged to enhance security at the Canada-US border, prompting Trump to temporarily suspend the tariffs for a month, a step seen as de-escalating tensions between the two countries.

Tense relations despite strong partnership

These developments come amid a tense relationship between Washington and Ottawa, despite being major economic partners in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The relationship between Trump and Trudeau has shown clear differences on several issues, including military spending, trade policies, borders, and climate change.

Analysts believe that these statements could lead to a new escalation in US-Canada relations, especially if Trump decides to reimpose the tariffs after the suspension period, which could prompt Canada to take countermeasures to protect its economy.