Published: 8:01am, 24 Apr 2025Updated: 8:01am, 24 Apr 2025
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Canada would “cease to exist” if it weren’t for the United States – comments that came just days before Canadians are set to vote in an election dominated by Trump’s comments on the country’s economy and sovereignty.
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Trump reinserted himself into Canada’s election during a signing ceremony inside the Oval Office, saying Canada “would cease to exist as a country” without the US buying goods from Canada.
“I have to be honest, as a state, it works great,” said Trump, who previously threatened to make the country the 51st state through economic coercion.
Trump reiterated his claim that the US doesn’t need anything from Canada – including cars and oil.
“We don’t really want Canada to make cars for us, to put it bluntly. We want to make our own cars,” Trump said.
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Trump presses ahead with 25% tariffs on imported cars, ratcheting up trade war
Trump presses ahead with 25% tariffs on imported cars, ratcheting up trade war
In recent weeks, Trump has dialled back his talk of Canada becoming the 51st state. He stopped saying it after a call with new Prime Minister Mark Carney last month.
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