Trump doubles down on making Canada 51st state

Elon Musktesla CEO

Girl, you’re not the governor of Canada anymore, so doesn’t matter what you say,

Elon Musk responded

For anyone who may be confused.”

Canada’s Liberal Party posted their own map of North America on X/Twitter with the caption

China shipping in cheap parts, putting them through Mexico. Mexico slapping on a 'Made in Mexico' sticker on and shipping up through the U.S. and Canada,

the Ontario premier said

We ship down 4.3 million barrels of oil every single day. We send electricity down to the U.S., critical minerals. These are all areas and different sectors that Americans need and why disrupt that, ... We're two greatest countries, strongest allies in the world, friends, so we need to get through this and start talking about trade."

Ford said, adding

You know something, to the president, I'll make him a counteroffer. How about if we buy Alaska, and we'll throw in Minnesota and Minneapolis at the same time,

Responding to a question about Trump's threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on products from Canada and Mexico as well as his offer to make Canada the '51st state', Ford said ... CBS News reported

Our government has been crystal clear—securing our shared border is essential to keeping streets across Ontario, Canada and America safe. Operation Deterrence will put concrete actions in place that will put a halt on the flow of illegal guns and drugs into our province and protect communities on both sides of the border."

Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner

Karoline Leavittvance Transition Spokeswoman

President Trump was given a mandate by the American people to stop the invasion of illegal immigrants, secure the border, and deport dangerous criminals and terrorists that make our communities less safe. He will deliver."

Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump-Vance transition team, told Newsweek

Doug Fordontario Premier

Ontario has been calling on the federal government to step up and address safety and security concerns at the border. We need to see words turned into visible action. In the meantime, Ontario is stepping up with Operation Deterrence to crack down on illegal border crossings and illegal guns and drugs. A more coordinated, Team Canada approach that includes more boots on the ground is the only way to detect, deter and disrupt illegal activity and ensure the safety and security of Canadian and American communities."

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said in a news release

In partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Operation Deterrence activity will be enhanced through the use of the emergency response team, frontline officer and additional specialty resources, including canine units, commercial motor vehicle inspections and criminal investigators,

the news release said

Canada has a long history of managing immigration to match its demographic and economic needs. And there is a relatively small share of unauthorized immigrants in Canada. Overall, the Canadian approach has brought many benefits to the country and a thoughtful response to current challenges by the government could ensure the perennity of that system."

Valerie Lacarte, a senior policy analyst for the U.S. Immigration Policy Program at the Migration Policy Institute, told Newsweek

I have a better idea, Jesse. Why don’t we create Fortress Am-Can and make sure it’s the richest, wealthiest most prosperous jurisdiction anywhere in the world. We have the critical minerals, we have the energy, we have the electricity that America needs,

Ford said

Together, let’s stop wasting time and ridiculous ideas about merging and instead focus on efforts on restoring the pride of ‘Made in Canada’ and ‘Made in USA,’

Ford said at a Wednesday morning announcement at the Darlington Energy Complex, east of Toronto

It will never be for sale. But I think if we work together, have an incredible trade deal, we could be the richest, wealthiest, [most] prosperous, safest jurisdiction anywhere in the world,

Ford said emphatically when asked about Trump’s annexation remark on Wednesday

We’re going down there to speak to the American people, to speak to the elected officials down there that can get into the ear of, at that time, President Trump,

Ford said

Someone has to stand up for Ontario. Someone has to stand up for Canada,

he said, noting that

I’ve heard it from people that know him. I heard it from elected officials. He’s hearing our message loud and clear,

Ford said

We’ll make sure we disclose the list after we see the tariffs out they’re planning to put on Canada,

Ford told reporters on Wednesday, following his virtual meeting with other premiers

With a new administration set to take office in the White House, our government has an ambitious plan to build up Fortress Am-Can to usher in a new American and Canadian century defined by unprecedented growth, job creation and prosperity,

Ford said in a news release ahead of the Wednesday announcement

Fortress Am-Can is a renewed alliance, a beacon of security, stability and growth. It’s a vision that respects each country as independent and celebrates what we can achieve together. A true partnership where Canada and the U.S. can align on key priorities—free, fair, and balanced trade; growing economies; advancing resource development; and protecting our communities,

he said

I think there’s a little split down in the U.S. (The) president saying one thing, and elected officials are thinking something opposite,

he said