4 hours ago
Last Updated:January 10, 2025, 16:42 IST
Global discussions arose after US President-elect Donald Trump claimed on social media that Canada expressed interest in becoming the 51st state of United States
Discussions about Canada’s potential statehood started on November 5, 2024, following Donald Trump 's meeting with Justin Trudeau in Florida. (AP File)
Discussions about Greenland, Canada, and the Panama Canal have surfaced globally, with speculation regarding Canada becoming the 51st US state being particularly prevalent.
These discussions began on November 5, 2024, with the meeting of newly elected US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Florida.
During the meeting, tariffs were a point of contention, with Donald Trump threatening to impose a 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada. Subsequently, on December 16, 2024, Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned from her post. This event heightened pressure on Justin Trudeau, leading to his resignation on January 6, 2025.
On the same day, Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, “Many people in Canada would like to become the 51st state of America. America can no longer bear the huge trade deficit and subsidies that are necessary for Canada’s existence. Justin Trudeau understood this, and that is why he resigned."
As soon as Trump shared this, a flood of memes appeared on social media worldwide, and discussions about Canada becoming the 51st state of America intensified.
What if Canada actually becomes the 51st state
Area: America would become the largest country in the world, surpassing Russia, with an area of approximately 19,811,345 square kilometres. This would constitute 80% of the North American continent and 13% of the Earth’s total land area.
Economy: As the largest state in America by area, Canada’s GDP, exceeding 2 trillion US dollars, would position it as the third largest state economically, after California and Texas. This integration would significantly bolster the US economy. Consequently, America’s total economy would reach approximately 30 trillion US dollars, dwarfing China’s economy of 17.79 trillion dollars.
Military: The US anticipates heightened influence in the Arctic due to Canada’s northern border regions and states, potentially leading to control over the strategic Northwest Passage. This projection assumes the integration of Canada’s 100,000-strong army into the US military. Additionally, it presumes the absorption of 65 Canadian Air Force fighter jets, 143 helicopters, and the Canadian Navy’s 14 frigates and four submarines into US control.
Resources: Should Canada become the 51st state, the US would gain access to a vast reservoir of resources. The move would unlock Arctic resources and give the US control over Canada’s abundant natural wealth. This includes the world’s largest freshwater reserves and 13% of global oil reserves. Such an acquisition would bring the US’s oil reserves to 215 billion barrels, on par with Saudi Arabia’s 267 billion barrels. It would also see the US surpass the oil reserves of Russia (100 billion barrels), Iraq (145 billion barrels), and Iran (208 billion barrels).
Population: After the hypothetical merger of Canada and the United States, the US population of 340 million would increase by approximately 40 million, bringing the total population to 380 million.
Is the merger possible?
The merger of Canada as the 51st state of America is highly improbable. While superficially alluring, the immense political, cultural, and social disparities present insurmountable obstacles. The long-standing bilateral partnership and the intricate web of international relations render such a merger practically impossible. Nevertheless, the notion sparks intriguing discourse on global politics and economic dynamics.
Location :United States of America (USA)
First Published:January 10, 2025, 16:42 IST
News viral 5 Things That Will Happen If Canada Really Becomes 51st US State
