Trump Suggests Canada & Mexico Become U.S. States!

President-elect Donald Trump suggested that their neighbours Canada and Mexico should contemplate becoming part of America as the US is subsiding them to the tune of $100 billion and $300 billion.

He also indicated that he would implement tariffs on both the nations if they failed to curb illegal immigration into the US, through their borders.

In his first Sunday Talk Show appearance since winning the Nov. 5 Presidential elections, Trump said, “We’re subsidizing Canada to the tune of $100 billion a year and Mexico $300 billion. We shouldn’t be subsidizing. Why are we subsidizing these countries? If we’re going to subsidise them, let them become a state (of the US).”

“We’re subsidizing Mexico, we’re subsidisng Canada, and even many other countries all over the world. All I want to do is have a level, fast, but fair playing field.”

At the same time, Trump dismissed concerns raised by American CEOs like those of Walmart, Black and Decker, Autozone that the tariffs would potentially force them to increase the costs of their commodities which ultimately would be transferred to the average citizens. He said that the tariffs would cost nothing for the Americans.

Defending his stance on tariffs, he said that they have been effective in preventing conflicts and generating revenue for the country, and maintained that they should be implemented judiciously.

He also mentioned of his administration’s economic achievements and said that he could check inflation during his tenure and for almost two years, even  after he stepped down.

The stock market was performing better than the pre-pandemic levels.

On being asked about if the tariffs were a negotiating strategy, Trump said that he spoke to both the Canadian and Mexican leaders. He described meeting Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago and making it clear that illegal immigration and drug trafficking should be stopped. Else, he would impose 25 per cent tariffs on both their territories.