Trump reiterates 51st state threat, adds more tariffs for Canada

Donald Trump is back on his 51st state talk.

The U.S. president resurrected the comment on Tuesday while talking about his so-called golden dome missile defence plans at an unusual meeting of American military officials.

It’s been weeks since we last heard Trump suggest Canada should become the 51st state — a phrase that was popular at the beginning of his second term, when the president also said he would use economic force – not military – to annex Canada.

Tuesday’s comments also come as Trump introduces more tariffs on lumber.

“Canada called me a couple of weeks ago and they want to be part of it. To which I said well, why don’t you just join our country, you’ll become 51, become the 51st state and you get it for free,” says Trump.

WATCH MORE: Local Indigenous non-profit break ground in central Hamilton for new housing project

It’s a refrain many Canadians didn’t expect to hear again.

“Yeah because we haven’t heard it in so long, it feels very jarring again,” says Jane Boulden, a professor from the Royal Military College of Canada.

Boulden doesn’t believe the remark was planned in the American president’s speech.

“Even if it’s unplanned, it’s important to note that it’s still in his head. The fact that he hasn’t been mentioning it doesn’t mean he’s not thinking about it, that’s now clear,” Boulden says.

Earlier this year, Trump said Canada’s contribution would be upwards of USD$70 billion and though there are few concrete details about the program, Prime Minister Mark Carney hasn’t ruled out joining.

READ MORE: Ford issues truck recall over defective part, steering loss risk

“From a Canadian perspective, we have a vested interest in that kind of defence in any form, whether it’s on our own or with the United States. Especially the way technology is developing, threats across the arctic are now a very real problem. The question is, is it worth it,” says Boulden.

Trump spent months before his presidency even began repeatedly talking about annexing Canada, and floated using economic force to take over the country.

On Tuesday, the president says his tariffs are working.

“They’re having a hard time in Canada up there now, because as you know with tariffs, everything is coming back to our country,” says Trump.

“From Canada, from Mexico, from Europe, AI, auto parts, it’s all coming back to the United States.”

The White House also added more levies today; 10 percent on lumber and 25 percent on cabinets and furniture. Which is in addition to threats made on Monday, to add a 100 percent tariff on movies made outside of the states.

All of the president’s comments today were made at a highly unusual gathering of top U.S. military officials who were summoned from all over the world to attend.

The president spoke for around an hour, following Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth – who laid out his vision to reshape the military by ending all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, and upping the requirements female soldiers must meet in order to serve.

WATCH MORE: Trump says Canada is having ‘hard time,’ should join U.S.