Canadians and Republicans alike are confounded as President Donald Trump increasingly links a trade war to his push to annex America's northern neighbor.

Summary

Donald Trump’s push to annex Canada as the 51st U.S. state is confusing due to its sudden and unexplained emergence.

Initially praising Canada as an ally, Trump now aggressively seeks annexation, imposing tariffs, criticizing trade deficits, and challenging established borders and treaties.

Former officials and congressional Republicans express bewilderment, stating they have “no clue” about Trump’s motivation.

Canadian leaders and the U.S. business community strongly oppose the move, citing sovereignty and economic harm.

Republicans also question Trump’s strategy, noting annexation would add millions of liberal-leaning voters and complicate American politics.

  • evasive_chimpanzee@lemmy.world
    397·
    15 hours ago

    It’s not really confusing. His whole strategy, as we saw during his first term, is to do and say so much outrageous stuff that no particular scandal can stick with him. He also thinks being a bully is being a good businessman.

    I doubt he would actually want to annex anywhere, but it’s easy ragebait that he can keep bringing up to keep news on that and off of his crimes.

    • NotLemming@lemm.eeEnglish
      7·
      11 hours ago

      I don’t agree. I think he will really do it. Spewing out everything at once is benefitting him/project 2025 but it would be a mistake to think it’s just talk at this point. That’s why Canadian politicians are being so strong on this. It’s really happening.

    • showmeyourkizinti@startrek.website
      1·
      7 hours ago

      Bull pucks. The man isn’t playing 4-D chess with the News, he’s not even do a deliberate Gish-Gallop. He’s just saying the first thing that pops in to his head. And right now that’s I want to go down in history as the greatest president ever. He thinks if he expands the US he’ll be bigger then Jefferson.

    • PhilipTheBucket@ponder.cat
      101·
      14 hours ago

      Agreed. The outlandish stuff is actually a little bit safer. Actually dangerous geopolitical stuff that might kick off something he can’t control, because it might realistically happen, he avoids like the plague unless it carries some kind of strong benefit to him personally. He just likes to talk shit because it’s fun. I don’t think it is any more complicated than that.

      I suspect that this is why Musk was brought in. Musk is actually willing to take an axe to the main pillars of the building, in a lot more energetic and systematized fashion than Trump would be inclined to.