Donald Trump, tariffs and the 51st state: FP answers your questions

Article content

Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, but those hoping for clarity on his plans for Canada got a dose of Trumpian chaos instead.

Article content

First came the reprieve: reports that tariffs would be delayed to give U.S. government agencies time to assess their implications. Then the reversal: in an Oval Office signing session, Trump casually revealed that he thought 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican goods would be implemented on Feb. 1.

Article content

From his desire to make Canada the 51st state to the tariff threats that defy economic sense, the questions about Trump’s plans keep coming. Read our online Q&A below.

Article content

What we know about Trump’s ’51st state’ comments

Trump first expressed interest in taking over Canada in early December while at a dinner with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Initially shrugged off as a joke, Trump has since posted an AI-generated image of himself with a Canadian flag and called the move a “great idea” and “fantastic.”

While speaking to MSNBC, Trudeau said that Trump’s comments are meant to distract Americans from the pain they might feel from his plan to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian imports.

“The 51st state, that’s not going to happen, it’s just a non-starter. Canadians are incredibly proud of being Canadian,” said the prime minister.

“But people are now talking about that as opposed to talking about, for example, what the impact of 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum coming into the United States, on energy whether its oil and gas or electricity.”

Other Canadian politicians have voiced their opposition to Trump’s comments, including Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre who says it would never happen. Ontario Premier Doug Ford recently wore a hat emblazoned with “CANADA IS NOT FOR SALE.”

Share this article in your social network