Rubio Defends Trump's "51st State" Remark While in Canada

On Friday, the highest-ranking diplomatic official in the U.S. government came forward to defend the policies of the U.S. President. Donald Trump's Repeated calls to have Canada join as the 51st state, framing it as an economic argument that speaks for itself, were made while addressing people on Canadian ground.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio was continually questioned by journalists at the end of the G7 foreign ministers meeting in Charlevoix, Quebec, regarding his agreement with Trump's remarks, which have intensified amidst the escalating trade dispute and now label the U.S.-Canada border as an "arbitrary line."

"The Canadian government has made their position, how they feel about it [annexation] clear, and the president has made his argument about why he thinks Canada would be better off joining the United States for economic purposes," Rubio said.

The stance held by the president differs from that of the Canadian government. This isn’t surprising, and it didn’t come up for discussion as the summit’s focus was elsewhere.

Rubio subsequently reaffirmed that the topic was not addressed during the summit. However, he conceded when questioned further that the matter started in December 2024, following a meeting between then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Donald Trump at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where they talked about the potential imposition of tariffs on Canada.

"I’ll explain how it happened: During a meeting with Trump, Trudeau essentially stated that if the U.S. were to impose tariffs on Canada, Canada wouldn’t be able to sustain itself as a nation-state. In response, the President remarked, ‘Then perhaps you ought to consider becoming one of our states,’” Rubio recounted.

He mentions his love for Canada. He has presented reasons supporting the idea that economically speaking, among other aspects, Canada might fare better as part of the United States. This point has been raised multiple times by him, and it seems strong enough to stand on its own.

Trump has made similar claims about Trudeau's comments when recalling their December dinner, which came after Trump first raised the possibility of sweeping tariffs on Canada and Mexico over border security concerns. Those tariffs and subsequent rounds of duties on Canadian products since early March have led to a trade war and souring relations between the two historical allies.

Trudeau has admitted to expressing worries over the economic consequences of those tariffs at the Mar-a-Lago summit. However, he hasn’t validated Trump’s assertion that Trudeau claimed Canada couldn't endure as a nation.

Nevertheless, Trudeau first dismissed Trump's comment about the "51st state" as mere jest but later cautioned about its gravity when Trump continued to repeat it.

In reality, we must revisit the one point [Trump] has consistently made, which is his desire to witness a complete economic downturn in Canada, as this would facilitate our annexation, He stated on March 4 following the implementation of Trump's tariffs on Canada.

On Thursday, Trump again said he wants Canada to become a U.S. state While seated beside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office, stating his preference for a unified nation-state "visually."

"Frankly speaking, Canada functions effectively only as a state," Trump stated.

Rutte did not object to the possibility of the U.S. assuming leadership among NATO’s founding members.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, who took the oath of office just prior to Rubio's comments, told reporters He hasn't talked to Trump yet, but he stated that Canada will remain steadfast against his annexation threats.

Under no circumstances whatsoever, whether directly or indirectly, will we become affiliated with the United States," he stated. "The U.S. isn’t like Canada.

More on Politics

• U.S. aims to abandon the current trade paradigm, Lutnick states following discussions with Canada
• As the new Prime Minister, Mark Carney states that Canada faces a 'critical juncture.'
• Listen to Mark Carney’s initial statements as prime minister

Video: 'Canada is a country with full sovereignty': Trump's ambassador nominee informs US senators

Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said to journalists earlier on Friday. During bilateral talks with her peers at the G7 gathering, she conveyed Ottawa’s perspective that the U.S. aims to absorb Canada via economic pressure and explored possibilities for increasing commerce beyond North America.

"The response from my European colleagues regarding this ridiculous threat of annexation was essentially, 'Is this some kind of prank?'" Joly stated.

I told them, 'This isn't something to laugh about.' Canadians are feeling uneasy. They have a strong sense of pride. And since you're in a sovereign nation, we don't anticipate these matters being brought up.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock shared the message "we've got your back." on a social media update During the summit on Thursday, both Joly and EU foreign affairs representative Kaja Kallas were featured. They appeared in photographs with Baerbock, sporting red and white attire.

Baerbock informed journalists on Friday that the G7’s pledge to uphold territorial integrity holds true for Canada just as it does for Ukraine and Greenland, both of which Trump has expressed interest in annexing.

"Canada’s unity motivates us," she stated.

On Friday, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani responded to queries regarding why he has not addressed Trump’s threats by stating that his priority lies in ensuring the effectiveness of the G7.

"For me, this isn’t about my role. For me, Canada remains Canada,” he stated. “The key message for today is unity itself.”

Joly mentioned they had a lengthy conversation with Rubio during a one-on-one meeting at the summit.

I wished to engage in an open discussion with him," Joly stated. "Sovereignty is non-negotiable. We also had a lengthy talk about tariffs and trade.

Pete Hoekstra, nominated by Trump to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Canada, stated during his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday that Canada is an independent nation. And stronger connections would be advantageous for both nations.

— with contributions from Global's Touria Izri and The Canadian Press