Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded to former U.S. President Donald Trump's comments about turning Canada into a U.S. state with a sarcastic remark. Ford said: “How about we buy Alaska and throw in Minnesota and Minneapolis in the deal?” in a sarcastic reference during his talk with reporters about Trump's threats to impose tariffs on Canadian products and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's announcement of his resignation.

Trump's Comments and Canada's Position

In recent weeks, Trump has made a series of sarcastic remarks, referring to Justin Trudeau as “Governor Trudeau” and describing Canada as “the 51st state.” His son Eric Trump also shared a sarcastic image on social media showing his father buying Canada through Amazon, along with Greenland and the Panama Canal.

These comments came in the context of Trump threatening to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian goods imported into the United States unless Canada takes steps to stop the flow of drugs and migrants across the border.

Doug Ford's Response

While Ford previously considered Trump's comments as “jokes,” he took a harsher stance on Monday, affirming that the annexation of Canada by the United States “will never happen.” He added: “I know that Trump loves to joke and make sarcastic comments, but I take these threats seriously. This is completely unrealistic.”

Ford further emphasized the need for the federal government, despite the political upheaval following Trudeau's resignation, to focus on confronting the threat of tariffs, which some have described as an “existential threat” to the Canadian economy.

Trump's Comment on Trudeau's Resignation

In his comment on Trudeau's resignation, Trump said it was proof that Canada was unable to continue as an independent nation. He added: “If Canada merged with the United States, there would be no tariffs, taxes would be greatly reduced, and it would be completely safe from Russian and Chinese threats. Together we would become a great nation!”

The Future of Canadian-American Relations

Amid the verbal escalation and economic threats, the future of relations between the two countries remains dependent on upcoming political decisions, especially with the ongoing discussion of new leadership in Canada and the direction of the incoming U.S. administration.