As part of the Mar-a-Lago dinner to discuss a proposed 25% blanket tariff on Canadian goods imported into the U.S., Trump suggested Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could become Governor of the 51st state to avoid a destroyed Canadian economy.
Another Mar-a-Lago minion at the table suggested that Canada would likely be a liberal state, but Trump said that Canada could be divided into two states, one liberal and one conservative.
Fox News cited two sources at the meeting who said Trump’s joke produced nervous laughter from Trudeau and others present.
Trump’s claim that there is a $100 billion trade deficit with Canada has been debunked before, in his first term.
The Washington Post in 2018 covered Trump’s insults at Trudeau over tariffs imposed on our northern neighbor. Trump was complaining even back then that Canada was bragging about making $100 billion in trade with the U.S.
“According to a Canada release, they make almost 100 Billion Dollars in Trade with U.S. (guess they were bragging and got caught!).” Then Trump added: “minimum is 17B.” — Tweeter-in-Chief
So where does the maximum of a $100 billion deficit come from? Apparently, this is a figure promoted by U.S. Trade Representative Robert E. Lighthizer, based on a misreading of statistics issued by the Canadian government on a website known as Statistics Canada. These statistics, indicating a $98 billion merchandise trade deficit, include re-exports of goods from third countries (such as a washing machine from China that passed through Vancouver’s port on the way to the United States), inflating the number.
