Canada as the 51st US state? Trump with an ironic offer to his neighbor

Palm Beach (Florida/USA) - Will there soon be a maple leaf on the US flag alongside the 50 stars ? In order to boost the economy in the United States, soon-to-be President Donald Trump (78) wants to increase tariffs and is making a joking offer to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (52).

Last Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (52, l.) and the future President of the USA, Donald Trump (78, r.), met for dinner in Florida.
Last Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (52, l.) and the future President of the USA, Donald Trump (78, r.), met for dinner in Florida.  © Evan Vucci/AP/dpa

According to a report by"FOX News", the two statesmen met last Friday at a property in Florida.

In advance, Trump threatened to raise tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico by 25 percent because they have failed to stop illegal migration and drug smuggling into the US.

The Canadian Prime Minister explained to Trump that raising the tariffs would mean the end for the country's economy .

The 78-year-old mockingly replied: "So your country can't survive if it doesn't exploit the USA for 100 billion dollars?"

Trump with a fun offer: Canada should become the 51st federal state after all

Despite his joking offer, Donald Trump is calling for an improvement in border controls by the time he takes office on January 20, 2025.
Despite his joking offer, Donald Trump is calling for an improvement in border controls by the time he takes office on January 20, 2025.  © Brandon Bell/Getty Images North America Pool via AP/dpa

As a solution to the problem, Trump jokingly suggested that Canada could become the 51st state of the USA after all, to which Trudeau only laughed nervously.

After the end of the event, the guests from the North described the conversation with the soon-to-be president as "very friendly and very positive".

However, Trump had made it clear during the conversation that he would like to see an improvement in border controls by the time he takes office on January 20, 2025.