Senator Bernie Sanders has expressed potential support for President-elect Donald Trump’s suggestion to make Canada the 51st state of the United States, but with a notable condition. Sanders addressed the idea in a post on X (formerly Twitter), following reports by Fox News that Trump raised the possibility during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago on Friday.
“Trump has suggested that Canada become the 51st state in our union,” Sanders wrote on X. “Does that mean that we can adopt the Canadian health care system and guarantee health care to all, lower the cost of prescription drugs, and spend 50% less per capita on health care? I’m all for it.”
The discussion about Canada joining the U.S. arose after Trump threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian imports during the meeting. According to Fox News, Trudeau warned that such tariffs would “kill” Canada’s economy, prompting Trump to suggest statehood as a solution.
Sanders Links Statehood to Health Care Reform
Sanders’ comments highlighted Canada’s universal health care system, which is funded through taxes and provides public health insurance to all citizens and permanent residents. In contrast, the U.S. lacks a universal system, and prescription drugs are significantly more expensive.
“Some Americans even travel across the border from the U.S. to obtain necessary prescription drugs as the country has much more affordable options,” noted the Daily Mail in its coverage of the story. Sanders has consistently advocated for adopting a similar system in the U.S., championing Medicare for All as a means to lower health care costs and improve accessibility.
Trump’s Tariff Threats and Statehood Suggestion
Trump’s remarks about Canada becoming a U.S. state came amid escalating tensions over trade and immigration policies. According to Fox News, Trump warned Trudeau that tariffs on Canadian products would remain until illegal immigration and drug trafficking issues were resolved.
Trudeau reportedly responded that such tariffs would severely harm Canada’s economy, leading Trump to suggest, “If the country can’t survive ripping off the U.S., perhaps Canada could become the 51st state.” The report stated that Trudeau and other officials reacted with “nervous laughter.”
Trump later trolled Canada on Truth Social, posting a digitally created image of himself standing beside a Canadian flag with the caption, “Oh Canada!”
Broader Implications
Canada’s potential statehood raises numerous questions about economic and political consequences. As the Daily Mail observed:
“More than 75 percent of products Canada exports are to the U.S., including crude oil, cars, machinery, and more.” Experts warn that imposing a 25% tariff could have “devastating economic consequences on both sides of the border,” with American consumers likely facing higher prices.
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Political Posturing or Policy Proposal?
It remains unclear whether Trump’s comments were a serious policy proposal or simply a negotiating tactic. Fox News sources suggested that Trump even joked about dividing Canada into two states—one liberal, one conservative—to align with the political polarization in the U.S.