Ottawa: Former US President Donald Trump has once again sparked controversy by referring to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the “Governor” of what he calls America’s 51st
Ottawa: Former US President Donald Trump has once again sparked controversy by referring to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the “Governor” of what he calls America’s 51st state. Following a lengthy phone conversation with Trudeau, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to blame Canada’s border policies for strained relations between the two nations.
“For those interested, I told Governor Justin Trudeau of Canada that he is largely responsible for the problems we face because of his weak border policies. These policies allow fentanyl and illegal aliens to pour into the United States, causing countless deaths,” Trump wrote.
Trump claimed that Trudeau reached out to discuss the impact of US-imposed tariffs. His administration had previously placed a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, accusing Ottawa of failing to curb the flow of fentanyl and its chemical ingredients into the US. In response, Canada retaliated with an equivalent 25% tariff on $30 billion worth of American imports, igniting a trade dispute that could affect both economies.
“I told him that fentanyl from Canada and Mexico has killed many Americans, and I see no evidence that it has stopped,” Trump stated. “He said things have improved, but I told him, ‘That’s not good enough.’ The call ended on a ‘somewhat’ friendly note, but he couldn’t tell me when the Canadian election would be held, which made me wonder—what’s going on here? It felt like he was using this issue to stay in power. Good luck, Justin!”
Trump’s remarks did not sit well with Canadian officials. Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly strongly condemned his comments, emphasizing that such statements are no longer a joke.
“This is serious now. There’s a reason why Canadians, even at hockey games, are booing the American national anthem. We are insulted. We are angry,” Joly said in an interview with the BBC.
Since reclaiming the US presidency, Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada should fall under American jurisdiction, with Trudeau as its “Governor.” His comments continue to stir political tension between the two countries, raising concerns about future US-Canada relations.
