President Donald Trump has revived talk of his ambitions to annex Canada and make it the 51st state—an idea he has floated repeatedlysince returning to the White House last year.
The most recent instance occurred Monday night, when Trump shared an article that stated Canada had entered a “technical recession” for the first time since 2020. In response, the President wrote: “51st State!”
The Bank of Canada itself had earlier addressed the recent data that showed GDP had declined for two consecutive quarters on an annualized basis, cautioning people about focusing on the numbers.
“I think we need to be careful not to put too much weight on any one indicator,” the bank’s senior deputy governor Carolyn Rogers told a parliamentary committee.
Trump revisiting his “51st state” rhetoric comes just days after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed an eagerness to create a new partnership with the U.S.
“As we consolidate our strengths, there are several opportunities that Canada and the United States should seize to work together and compete with the rest of the world,” said Carneyat an event hosted by the Economic Club of New York on May 28. “The time has come for a new partnership that will redefine the economic relationship between our two countries.”
Carney emphasized that while the world is “undergoing a rupture” and “becoming more divided,” strength can be found in unity.
He pointed towards a number of international trade agreements reached between Canada and global partners.
“Our core objective across these partnerships is to increase our strategic autonomy. Because we live in a world where integration has been weaponised,” Carney said, adding that a strong Canada is in a better position to work with America as an ally.
“While Canada and the United States have had our differences over the years, we have always, eventually, worked through them, because our shared values and common interests run deep,” he implored. “Canada Strong will help make America great again.”
He proposed to the U.S. that potential agreements could include the purchase of Canadian aluminum, automobiles, and critical minerals.
The newly-established Canada Strong Fund is set to focus on investments in the country’s infrastructure.
Carney was sworn in as Prime Minister in March 2025, during a time when Trump’s remarks about Canada had stirred up significant national pride.
Since then, as well as Trump routinely expressing his desire to annex Canada—a notion Carney has flatly said “will never happen”—there have also been major tariff disputes.
Earlier this year, Carney issued a stern response after Trump told Davos attendees that “Canada lives because of the United States.”
“Canada does not live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian,” Carney said in a filmed response.
Carney urges unity in light of Alberta’s separation vote
Trump’s most recent remarks in reference to Canada come as Carney is facing strain on the homefront.
He has called for unity after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announcedthe province will hold a referendum on whether to remain in Canada.
Carney has described the referendum question as a “very dangerous bluff,” comparing it to the Brexitvote held in the U.K.in 2016, which led to the nation leaving the European Union.
Carney, who was Governor of the Bank of England at the time, said he “saw first-hand what happened in the United Kingdom, when the view was ‘vote for this, it’ll be soft, and then we’ll negotiate.’”
“They’re still, 10 years later, trying to undo what people didn’t think they were voting for, but what they ended up having,” he argued.
Describing Alberta as “essential,” Carney has said he looks forward to making his case that the province should remain one with Canada. Alberta’s Premier announced the referendum decision on May 21, after a citizen-led petitioncalling for separation received over 300,000 signatures.
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