Podcaster and comedian Joe Rogan has sparked fresh discussions about U.S. territorial expansion, suggesting that Mexico should join Canada as a potential addition to the United States.
His comment came after Donald Trump floated the idea of making Canada the 51st state.
Rogan’s Proposal Adds Mexico to the Mix
On Tuesday, Rogan shared a post on Instagram reacting to Trump’s earlier statement about Canada.
In his post, he endorsed the idea but added his twist: “I say we let Mexico in, too.”
This remark followed Trump’s controversial comments on Truth Social, where the former president claimed Canadians “love” the idea of becoming part of the U.S.
Canada Pushes Back Against Trump’s Comments
Trump’s vision of using “economic force” to integrate Canada into the United States has been met with fierce resistance from outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Trudeau responded bluntly: “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.”
He emphasized the mutual benefits of the current trade and security partnership between the two nations, dismissing Trump’s remarks as baseless.
Trump’s Justifications for Expansion
At a press conference in Mar-a-Lago, Trump doubled down on his comments, suggesting that absorbing Canada would enhance national security and eliminate trade inefficiencies.
He pointed to the U.S.’s trade deficit with Canada—$6 billion annually—and claimed the U.S. is spending “hundreds of billions” to protect its northern neighbor.
Trump criticized Canada’s reliance on the U.S. for defense and trade, adding, “We don’t need their cars, lumber, or dairy products.
Why are we losing $200 billion a year to protect Canada?” He even referred to Trudeau as “Governor Trudeau,” further fueling tensions.
Military Force Ruled Out, Economic Pressure Promised
While Trump ruled out using military action to annex Canada, he hinted at imposing significant economic pressure, such as tariffs, to push his agenda.
This comes after earlier suggestions about possibly using military force to reclaim the Panama Canal and acquire Greenland.
Trudeau’s Response and Canada’s Stance
Trudeau wasn’t alone in pushing back against Trump’s rhetoric.
Canada’s foreign affairs minister, Mélanie Joly, defended the country’s independence and economic strength, stating, “Our economy is strong. Our people are strong.
We will never back down in the face of threats.”
Canada maintains that its relationship with the U.S. is a partnership rather than dependency.
Official documents from the Canadian government describe the defense and security collaboration as mutually beneficial.
Trump’s Vision Includes Hockey Legend Wayne Gretzky
In a surprising twist, Trump floated the idea of Canadian hockey icon Wayne Gretzky entering politics.
Trump claimed he encouraged Gretzky to “run for Prime Minister or Governor,” jokingly suggesting that Canada might soon need a U.S.-style governorship.
Economic Ties Between the U.S. and Canada
Despite Trump’s critiques, trade between the two countries is robust.
In 2022, the U.S. exported $428 billion in goods to Canada while importing $481 billion.
These figures highlight the deep economic interdependence that exists between the neighboring nations.
The Bigger Picture
Rogan’s lighthearted comment and Trump’s bold statements have reignited debates about U.S. expansionism, economic power, and international diplomacy.
Whether these ideas are serious or rhetorical, they’ve opened up discussions about the future of North America’s political and economic landscape.
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