Canada and the United States have shared a commercial relationship for years. They share the largest border internationally and Canada is the United States’ top partner in trade. Though the two nations remain independent of each other, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has made some interesting comments on the nature of their relationship on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Following his removal from Twitter after the Capitol building riots of January 6, 2021, Trump took to the official POTUS account, claiming that Twitter was “all about promoting a radical left [wing] platform.” He announced an interest in building his own platform, one that was about “free speech,” unlike, in his opinion, Twitter. In February of the following year, Truth Social emerged. The social media platform allows users to post truths and to re-truth, similar to the framework of Twitter, but with different terminology. While his presence on Twitter, now called X, has been reinstated due to his right-hand man Elon Musk’s purchase of the company, Trump remains highly active on Truth Social. The bulk of his online presence remains on his new platform where a wider variety of topics are discussed and in more depth. Trump has made no comment on X, regarding Canada, but the following comments were posted to Truth Social.
On December 10, 2024 Trump wrote: “It was a pleasure to have dinner the other night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada. I look forward to seeing the Governor again soon so that we may continue our in depth talks on Tariffs and Trade, the results of which will be truly spectacular for all!”
On December 16, Trump responded to Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s resignation, writing: “The Great State of Canada is stunned as the Finance Minister resigns, or was fired, from her position by Governor Justin Trudeau. Her behavior was totally toxic, and not at all conducive to making deals which are good for the very unhappy citizens of Canada. She will not be missed!!!”
For context, Freeland noted in her resignation that recently, she and Trudeau were not seeing eye to eye on the future of Canada. Additionally, Freeland noted a “policy of aggressive economic nationalism” was being pursued by the incoming U.S. administration. Freeland also referenced the possibility of an upcoming “tariff war,” suggesting that Canada will not go quietly in this deal
On January 6, Trump responded to Trudeau’s resignation writing: “Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State. The United States can no longer suffer the massive Trade Deficits and Subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this, and resigned. If Canada merged with the U.S., there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them. Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!”
The next day, January 7, Trump posted two maps that combined Canada and the U.S. into a single nation, one with “United States” superimposed over the territory, and the other with the American flag superimposed over the territory, captioned “Oh Canada!” Trump also shared a New York Post illustration of him presenting a map with the titles Canada, Greenland, Panama Canal, and Gulf of Mexico crossed out and replaced with the following: 51st state, Our Land, Panamaga Canal, and Gulf of America.
As adamant as Trump appears in his pursuit of Canada, Prime Minister Trudeau addressed the ambiguity of the situation with CNN Washington. “What I think is happening is President Trump, who is a very skillful negotiator, is getting people to be somewhat distracted by that conversation, to take away from the conversation around 25 percent tariffs on oil and gas and electricity and steel and aluminum and lumber and concrete.” If tariffs were to be imposed, American consumers would face a significant price raise on products imported from Canada. With all the banter and online discussion surrounding Canada’s independence, who will American consumers blame for the price raise? Their President for instigating the situation? Or, on the other hand, Canada for not merging with the U.S. and therefore nullifying potential tariffs?
Either or, propaganda is legal in the U.S. Trump can say whatever he wants about whoever he wants, even if it is untrue. It is best to take messages shared on social media with a grain of salt.
