A war of words erupted between Canadian and American officials after a member of Canada's Parliament claimed President Trump's "51st state" rhetoric and trade policies constitute an "act of war."
According to Fox News, Charlie Angus, a liberal New Democratic Party MP, made these inflammatory remarks during an interview with MeidasTouch Network on Monday.
The heated exchange follows Trump's recent implementation of steep tariffs on Canadian imports and his repeated characterization of Canada as America's "51st state," a term that originated during a meeting between Trump and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in November 2024.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio attempted to downplay the controversy during his recent G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Canada. He explained that Trump's "51st state" comments stemmed from a conversation where Trudeau expressed concerns about Canada's ability to survive as a nation-state under U.S. tariffs.
The economic measures imposed by the Trump administration include a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from all nations, with Canada facing an additional 25% tax on all imported goods starting April 2. These aggressive trade policies have triggered widespread boycotts of American products by Canadian consumers.
Trump defended his position during an appearance on Fox News' Laura Ingraham show, where he stated:
Here's my problem with Canada. Canada was meant to be the 51st state because we subsidize Canada by $200 billion a year. We don't need their cars, we don't need their lumber, we have a lot of lumber. … We don't need their energy, we don't need anything, we certainly don't want their automobiles.
MP Charlie Angus delivered a forceful rebuke to the U.S. administration's stance, particularly criticizing Marco Rubio's comments. He declared:
Well, I think Marco Rubio probably needs to be sent back to school because when you say that someone doesn't have a right to have a country, that's an act of war. When you rip up, arbitrarily, trade agreements and threaten and say you're going to break a country, that's an act of war.
The economic impact of deteriorating U.S.-Canada relations has become increasingly apparent. Angus highlighted that a 10% reduction in Canadian travel to the United States could result in the loss of 140,000 American jobs, demonstrating the interconnected nature of both economies.
The diplomatic dispute coincides with significant political changes in Canada. Mark Carney assumed the role of Prime Minister on March 14, following Justin Trudeau's resignation in January after nine years in office. Carney's election as the new Liberal Party leader comes at a crucial time as Canada navigates these unprecedented tensions with its southern neighbor.
Canadian officials have emphasized their commitment to maintaining sovereignty while defending their economic interests. The implementation of boycotts against U.S. products represents a strategic response to what many Canadians view as aggressive American trade policies.
A member of Canada's Parliament has characterized President Trump's "51st state" rhetoric and trade policies as acts of war, marking a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the longtime allies.
The dispute centers on Trump's implementation of substantial tariffs on Canadian imports and his persistent reference to Canada as America's "51st state," a term that emerged from his November 2024 meeting with former Prime Minister Trudeau.
As newly appointed Prime Minister Mark Carney takes office, both nations face the challenge of managing their economic relationship while preserving their distinct national identities.
