President-elect Donald J. Trump on Wednesday took credit for a new border security plan — that was announced by Canada.
A day earlier, the Canadian government outlined a plan costing roughly $1.3 billion Canadian dollars, about $903 million, to fortify its border with the United States. Canada has presented the plan to the incoming Trump administration.
“President Trump is securing the border and he hasn’t even taken office yet,” said a news release from Mr. Trump’s transition team.
“Facing an uproar among his own citizens,” the release continued, “embattled Prime Minister Justin Trudeau just announced a billion-dollar plan for major border security improvements and increased border patrols.”
Canada’s proposal includes the use of drones, helicopters and other technology to watch over the 5,525-mile border, as well as canine units to check for drugs.
The plan follows Mr. Trump’s threat to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods soon after he takes office next month if the country doesn’t do more to stop the flow of undocumented migrants and drugs into the United States.
Earlier on Wednesday, Mr. Trump continued with his mockery of Mr. Trudeau and Canada’s sovereignty in a social media post, while also airing his longstanding trade complaints.
“No one can answer why we subsidize Canada to the tune of over $100,000,000 a year?” Mr. Trump wrote. “Makes no sense! Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State. They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st State!!!”
It is unclear where Mr. Trump came up with that figure.
As of October, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. trade deficit with Canada was about $50 billion. The largest export by value from Canada is crude oil, and the United States generally has a trade surplus with Canada if oil is excluded.
After an earlier reference by Mr. Trump to Canada as a U.S. state with Mr. Trudeau as its governor, Canadian officials said similar comments were made during Mr. Trump’s first time in office and characterized them as humorous remarks.
Mr. Trudeau has not said anything publicly in response to Mr. Trump’s attempts to poke fun at him.
No opinion poll in Canada has shown strong support for joining the United States, but polling has found that Mr. Trump is deeply unpopular.
Last month, Mr. Trudeau and several officials flew to Florida to discuss the border and tariffs over dinner with Mr. Trump.
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