‘Wake-up call’: Jean Charest responds to Trump’s shot at Canada becoming 51st state

U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is once again taunting Canada about becoming a part of the United States.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump says many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st state.

“No one can answer why we subsidize Canada to the tune of over $100,000,000 a year? Makes no sense! Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State,” he writes in the post early Wednesday morning.

“They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st State!!!”

Trump’s latest shot at Canada prompted former deputy prime minister and Quebec premier Jean Charest to take to social media, saying his latest jibe should be a “wake-up call.”

Every Canadian, regardless of their opinion of the Prime Minister or political affiliation, should feel deeply offended by President Trump’s remarks. We might one day be grateful for this WAKE-UP CALL. For too long, we have been complacent in our relationships with the United… https://t.co/aCzALVDQO3

— Jean Charest (@JeanCharest_) December 18, 2024

“Every Canadian, regardless of their opinion of the Prime Minister or political affiliation, should feel deeply offended by President Trump’s remarks,” Charest writes in a post to X.

“For too long, we have been complacent in our relationships with the United States and the rest of the world. We need to unite and rise to this historic occasion to shape the future of Canada.”

Trump has made repeated digs at Canada and the suggestion that it could become the 51st state in recent days, referring to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as governor.

Wednesday’s taunt comes as Trudeau deals with the unexpected resignation of Chrystia Freeland from cabinet and growing calls from Liberals for him to step down.

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Trump has threatened that when he becomes president next month he will impose significant tariffs on all goods from Canada unless it stops the flow of migrants and illegal drugs into the U.S.

In order to ease Trump’s concerns, the Canadian government released Tuesday new details of its $1.3-billion upgrade to border security.

Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc says Canada’s border with the U.S. will soon have round-the-clock surveillance thanks to a new aerial intelligence task force created by the RCMP.

He says Canada will also propose to the United States to create a North American “joint strike force” to target organized crime groups that work across borders.

– With files from The Canadian Press.

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