Sun Jan 12 01:48:39 UTC 2025: ## Former Canadian PM Slams Trump’s “51st State” Suggestion

**Vancouver, January 12, 2025** – Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien has vehemently rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s suggestion that Canada become the 51st U.S. state, calling the idea “totally unacceptable” and an “unprecedented threat to Canadian sovereignty.” In an article published in *The Globe and Mail* celebrating his 91st birthday, Chrétien delivered a blunt message to Trump: “Give your head a shake!”

Chrétien’s rebuke reflects a widespread sentiment in Canada following Trump’s repeated expansionist rhetoric, which has also targeted Greenland and the Panama Canal. While some European leaders have offered muted responses, Canada has forcefully rejected Trump’s overtures. Chrétien emphasized Canada’s strong sense of independence and warned that threats and insults will not sway Canadian opinion.

The close economic ties between the U.S. and Canada add another layer of complexity to the situation. The U.S. imports approximately 60% of its crude oil from Canada, and nearly $2.7 billion in goods and services cross the border daily. Canadian officials are currently engaging with the incoming Trump administration to address border security concerns, aiming to avoid the threatened imposition of a 25% tariff on all Canadian products. Past experience shows that such tariffs could lead to retaliatory measures, as demonstrated by Canada’s imposition of billions of dollars in new duties in 2018 in response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum. Chrétien’s strong words highlight the potential for significant strain on the relationship between the two North American neighbors.

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