Why Does Trump Want to Annex Canada to the United States?

In a move that has reignited widespread controversy, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump shared two maps on Truth Social on January 8, 2025. The maps depicted a unified United States and Canada under the American flag. Alongside one of the images, Trump commented: “Oh Canada!” Before posting these images, Trump vowed to use “economic power” against Canada, urging for its annexation and referring to it as the “51st state.”

Since his re-election in the fall of 2024, Trump has repeatedly attacked Canada and advocated for its annexation, calling such a merger a “positive step.” He stated, “Imagine a scenario where we eliminate this artificial border—it would also greatly enhance national security.”

In response, outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly declared that Canada would “never bow” to Trump’s threats. Trudeau firmly asserted, “Canada will never, ever, become a part of the United States.”

Trump’s comments came just hours after Trudeau announced his resignation as Canada’s Prime Minister following nearly a decade in office. His departure opens the door to questions about the seriousness of Trump’s proposal, its motivations, and the feasibility of its implementation. This report delves into the economic, historical, and geopolitical aspects of this contentious issue.

How Did Trump’s Feud with Canada Begin?

Trump’s tensions with Canada date back to his first presidency in 2017. During his initial term, he created friction with even U.S. allies by revisiting trade agreements, including those with Canada. Trump repeatedly criticized the 25-year-old trade agreement with Canada, labeling it a “disaster” for the U.S. and claiming it threatened national security.

In the summer of 2018, as part of his “America First” economic plan, Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian imports, including steel and aluminum. Canada retaliated by imposing counter-tariffs ranging from 10% to 25% on several U.S. products, causing billions of dollars in losses for both nations.

By late 2018, negotiators from both countries reached an agreement to revise the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a deal that Trump had earlier threatened to terminate. However, tensions flared again after Trump’s 2024 electoral victory. On Truth Social, Trump announced on November 25, 2024, that one of his first executive orders would impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico unless they acted to curb drug trafficking and illegal migration.

In response, former Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland warned that Canada, the United States’ largest trading partner, should take such threats seriously. Internal disagreements over how to handle Trump’s aggressive trade policies led to Freeland’s resignation, further weakening Trudeau’s unpopular administration.

Mocking Trudeau, Trump referred to him as the “governor” of the “great state of Canada,” implying that Canada was more of a U.S. dependency than a sovereign nation. When asked whether he would use military force to annex Canada, Trump responded, “No. Economic power is sufficient.” He added that integrating Canada into the U.S. would bolster national security, eliminate trade barriers, and save Canada from the perceived threats posed by Russian and Chinese naval activities near its borders.

Why Does Trump Want to Annex Canada?

Trump has cited several reasons for his proposal to annex Canada:

1. 1. Economic Integration:
      Canada and the United States are already the world’s largest trading partners. Trump argues that removing the border would enhance trade, investment, and economic growth while eliminating tariffs.

1. 1. Geography and Security:
      The two nations share the longest “unprotected” border in the world (8,891 kilometers), which Trump claims poses national security risks, including drug smuggling and illegal migration. He views a merger as a logical step to address these issues.

1. 1. Natural Resources:
      Canada is rich in resources like oil (third-largest reserves globally), natural gas, minerals, and timber. Trump believes annexation would strengthen the U.S. economy by granting access to these vast resources.

1. 1. Military Protection:
      Trump claims that Canada relies heavily on U.S. military protection through NATO and bilateral defense agreements. He argues that unification would streamline defense efforts and ensure mutual security.

Canada at a Glance

Canada, the second-largest country in the world, covers 9.98 million square kilometers. Its terrain includes mountains, forests, rivers, and three oceans (Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic). With a population of approximately 39 million, Canada has one of the lowest population densities globally (four people per square kilometer).

Economically, Canada’s GDP is approximately $2.2 trillion. Its economy thrives on industries like mining, agriculture, technology, and energy. Major exports to the U.S. include oil, natural gas, minerals, agricultural products, and lumber. Canada also imports U.S. goods such as cars, technology, and medical equipment, with total trade between the two nations reaching $750 billion annually.

Canada’s Historical and Cultural Identity

Canada and the U.S. share a history shaped by European colonization, but they evolved differently. Canada’s unique identity emphasizes multiculturalism, universal healthcare, and distinct social values. Canadians pride themselves on being culturally different from their southern neighbors, which contributes to widespread opposition to any notion of annexation.

Historically, the U.S. attempted to annex Canada during:

1. 1. The American Revolutionary War (1775-1783):
      U.S. forces launched a failed campaign to capture Quebec, reinforcing Canadian loyalty to Britain.

1. 1. The War of 1812:
      Another U.S. attempt to conquer Canada ended in failure, cementing Canada’s path toward independence.

Since then, peaceful treaties and trade agreements have defined the U.S.-Canada relationship, with little support for annexation on either side of the border.

Do Canadians Support Annexation?

Public opinion polls consistently show overwhelming opposition to the idea of joining the United States. A 2024 survey by Canada’s Angus Reid Institute found that only 6% of Canadians supported annexation, citing their cultural and political independence as reasons for their stance.

Canadian leaders have also condemned Trump’s proposal. They argue that annexation threatens Canada’s sovereignty and disregards its distinct values. The strong cultural pride and economic stability of Canada further fuel this opposition.