Jean Chrétien, Canada’s former prime minister, has criticized U.S. President-elect Donald Trump for suggesting that Canada should become the 51st state of the United States. Chrétien called on Trump to “think again” and emphasized Canada’s unwavering commitment to sovereignty.
Chrétien, who served as Canada’s prime minister from 1993 to 2003, joined other Canadian officials in denouncing Trump’s comments, which they claim are no longer a joke but a potential threat to bilateral relations.
Chrétien’s Response
Writing in the Globe and Mail, Chrétien declared that Canada would never agree to becoming part of the U.S., labeling Trump’s remarks as “completely unacceptable insults and unprecedented threats to Canadian sovereignty.”
“Donald Trump, from one old man to another, think this through! What could possibly lead you to believe Canadians would give up the best country in the world to join the United States?” Chrétien wrote.
Trump’s Expansionist Views
Trump has previously made similar expansionist comments regarding other territories, including Denmark’s Greenland and the Panama Canal. His rhetoric has sparked criticism, with Canadian leaders being particularly vocal in their opposition.
“If you think threats and insults will win us over, you truly don’t understand us. We may seem laid-back and mild, but make no mistake—we have spine and resolve,” Chrétien concluded.
