President-elect Donald Trump has stirred speculation about the possibility of merging Canada with the United States, following a provocative post on his Truth Social platform. Trump reshared a report claiming that Shark Tank co-host and Canadian entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary, rather than Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or other Canadian leaders, would spearhead discussions about such a merger.
O’Leary, speaking on Fox News, revealed plans to visit Mar-a-Lago to “start the narrative” about uniting the two countries, adding, “We don’t want Trudeau negotiating this deal.” “Think about the power of combining the two economies,” O’Leary said, outlining a vision that includes a European Union-style open border for housing and work, a shared currency (likely the U.S. dollar), and unrestricted trade agreements.
Canada, with its population of just over 41 million and vast landmass larger than the U.S., presents intriguing possibilities for such a merger. However, Trump’s history of trade tensions with Canada casts a shadow over the idea.
Previously, Trump threatened Canada with a trade war, announcing plans to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports through an executive order effective Jan. 20. Now, he appears to suggest that merging the two nations could eliminate such economic conflicts.
In a holiday message, Trump extended a pointed “Merry Christmas” to Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, whom he referred to as “Governor Justin Trudeau of Canada.” Trump claimed that under a merger, Canadians would benefit from significant tax cuts, business growth, and unparalleled military protection.
“Governor Justin Trudeau of Canada, whose Citizens’ Taxes are far too high, but if Canada was to become our 51st State, their Taxes would be cut by more than 60%, their businesses would immediately double in size, and they would be militarily protected like no other Country anywhere in the World,” Trump wrote.
He even included Greenland in his musings, referring to its strategic importance for U.S. national security and hinting at American presence there. Despite the audacious claims, critical questions remain unanswered. Would Canadians gain voting rights in U.S. elections or representation in Congress? How would such a merger respect Canada’s sovereignty and parliamentary democracy?
While the idea has sparked conversation, the practicality and feasibility of merging the two nations remain highly uncertain, leaving many to view the proposal as another bold but improbable Trump statement.