President-elect Donald Trump has mocked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau overnight as the "governor" of the "Great State of Canada," after warning of possible tariffs on the neighboring country.
“It was a pleasure to have dinner last night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada,” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social account shortly after midnight Tuesday. “I look forward to seeing the Governor again soon so we can continue our in-depth discussions on Tariffs and Trade, the results of which will be truly spectacular for all!”
Trump has recently joked that Canada should become the 51st state, even suggesting it directly to Trudeau during their dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Fox News reported, citing two people at the table who overheard the discussion.
Speaking to NBC anchor Kristen Welker last week, Trump made a similar suggestion while discussing how his plan to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico would make the U.S. "rich," characterizing the U.S.-Canada trade deficit a form of subsidy.
"We're subsidizing Canada to the tune of over $100 billion a year. We're subsidizing Mexico to the tune of almost $300 billion. We shouldn't be doing it - why are we subsidizing these countries? If we're going to subsidize them, let them become a (US) state," he said in the interview broadcast on Sunday.
Trudeau said Monday that Canada, "as it did eight years ago, will respond to unfair tariffs," according to the Associated Press.