Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed in a Sunday interview with MSNBC that President-elect Donald Trump once entertained the idea of making Canada the 51st U.S. state but quickly lost interest when the conversation turned to a hypothetical trade involving Vermont or California.
Trudeau shared the anecdote while discussing his interactions with Trump, recalling the unexpected topic of annexation. “It actually sort of came up at one point, and then we started musing back and forth about this,” Trudeau said, describing the lighthearted discussion.
The Canadian leader explained that the exchange took a turn when he introduced a playful counteroffer. “And when I started to suggest, well, maybe there could be a trade for Vermont or California for certain parts, he immediately decided that it was not that funny anymore, and we moved on to a different conversation,” Trudeau added.
While Trudeau did not elaborate on which parts of Canada might have been hypothetically traded or how serious Trump was about the idea, the story offers a glimpse into the unconventional and often unpredictable nature of their conversations.
The revelation quickly caught the attention of commentators on social media, many of whom highlighted the absurdity of the scenario. Some viewed Trudeau’s lighthearted approach as a clever way to deflect and shift the discussion, while others speculated about what prompted Trump’s interest in the first place.
The exchange serves as yet another example of the unique dynamics between the two leaders during Trump’s presidency. Known for his unconventional proposals and offbeat remarks, Trump often brought an unorthodox approach to international relations.
Trudeau’s recounting of the conversation underscores the sometimes surreal nature of diplomatic interactions during Trump’s tenure, while also showcasing the Canadian prime minister’s ability to navigate such moments with humor and tact.
Though the idea of annexing Canada may never have been more than a passing thought, the anecdote provides a lighthearted reminder of the unusual ideas that occasionally surfaced in Trump’s discussions with world leaders.