Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday that US President Donald Trump’s talk about absorbing Canada “is a real thing” and is linked to the country’s rich natural resources, a government source said.
During a closed-door session of business and labor leaders, Trudeau made the remarks on how best to respond to Trump’s threats of tariffs on Canadian imports.
His comments were first reported by the Toronto Star, which said they were mistakenly carried by a loudspeaker.
“They’re very aware of our resources, of what we have and they very much want to be able to benefit from those,” the Star quoted Trudeau as saying.
“But Mr Trump has it in mind that one of the easiest ways of doing that is absorbing our country. And it is a real thing.”
The government source confirmed that the Star’s account of the remarks was accurate.
Canada, seeking to fend off US measures, has stressed it is a trusted partner and a major supplier of oil, minerals, and other natural resources.
In remarks open to reporters, Trudeau had earlier said Canada could face long-term political challenges with the United States even if it manages to avert Trump’s threat of tariffs.
Trump has repeatedly suggested Canada would be better off if it agreed to become the 51st US state.
