Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, issued a warning on February 8th that President Trump's interest in absorbing Canada is a serious matter, as he aims for the United States to gain control over Canada's rich natural resources.

During a closed-door meeting in Toronto that morning, Trudeau told a group of business leaders, 'I believe the Trump administration is not only well aware of the critical minerals we possess, but it may be exactly for this reason that they are continually discussing the idea of annexing us and making us the 51st state of the United States.'

He added, "They know what we have, and they are very eager to benefit from it. But what Trump is actually thinking is that one of the simplest ways to achieve this goal is to annex Canada, which is a genuine thought."

He emphasized that Canada must expand its trade internationally, stating, "Due to our geographical location, we can both benefit from and face challenges in our trade with the United States."

The meeting brought together nearly 200 representatives from industry and trade associations, union leaders, and corporate executives to discuss Canada's strategies for dealing with the upcoming trade dispute with the United States.

Prior to this, Trudeau and other Canadian senior officials minimized Trump's comments about making Canada the 51st state of the US, dismissing it as mainly a joke and a way of playfully teasing Canada.

In his opening speech on Friday, Trudeau stated that it is time for MPs and business leaders to discuss trade strategies for the upcoming months to enhance the resilience of Canada's economy. "We are at a crucial moment where we must work hard for Canadians."

He mentioned that Canada could encounter long-term political challenges with the United States, even if it successfully avoids the threat of Trump's tariffs; the country needs to revise its economic strategy to promote growth.

Trudeau noted that if the United States imposes further tariffs, Canada will respond similarly, but its aim has always been to lift these measures as quickly as possible.

The strategic reflection we need to have now is how we can navigate the next four years, how we can grow stronger, and how we can become more resilient in the long-term political dynamics with the United States.

Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order to impose a 25% tariff on goods imported from Mexico and Canada, with a 10% tariff specifically on Canadian energy products.

This week, the United States agreed to provide Canada with a 30-day grace period on tariffs in exchange for Canadian concessions regarding border security and law enforcement, especially in the fight against fentanyl trafficking. However, public data indicates that only 0.2% of all illicit drugs confiscated in the United States originate from the Canadian border.

Trump also expressed concerns about the trade deficit between the U.S. and Canada, contemplating the use of economic pressure to make Canada the 51st state. Canada is attempting to counter U.S. tariff measures, asserting that it is a reliable partner and a key supplier of oil, minerals, and other natural resources.