# Trump Proposes Canada as 51st State Amid Trade Disputes Former President jokes about annexation while criticizing bilateral trade deficits and manufacturing shifts. - **Source:** [National Post - RSS Feed](https://nationalpost.com/) - **Published:** 2026-10-20 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d7350b95-1558-40ac-8ba1-79ee12029d58 ## Rally Remarks in Kansas During a campaign rally in Park City, Kansas, Donald Trump addressed supporters while backing Senator Roger Marshall. Amidst his speech, he jokingly suggested that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state. He specifically promised that the nation could retain its national anthem and ice hockey traditions under this hypothetical political arrangement. ## Trade Deficit Claims Trump asserted that the United States loses 90 billion dollars annually due to trade imbalances with Canada. He claimed that Canada conducts 95 percent of its business with Americans, characterizing the relationship as exploitative. These remarks were delivered while he criticized the migration of automotive manufacturing plants away from the United States. ## Data Discrepancies Revealed The Centre for Future Work challenged Trump's 90 billion dollar deficit figure using official government data. Their analysis indicates the actual 2025 deficit was 27 billion dollars, comprising a 55 billion dollar merchandise deficit offset by a 28 billion dollar services surplus. This represents only 3 percent of the total bilateral flow. ## Bombardier Manufacturing Presence Trump softened his previous stance regarding the Canadian jet manufacturer Bombardier during the rally. He acknowledged the company's significant presence in Wichita, Kansas, where it employs approximately 1,500 people. He stated his intention to support the firm, ensuring that local workers in Kansas are not negatively impacted by his broader trade policies. ## Manufacturing Sector Shifts The former president highlighted concerns regarding the movement of car plants from the United States to Mexico and Canada. He questioned the necessity of importing Canadian-made vehicles, framing the trend as a departure from domestic industrial strength. These comments reflect his ongoing focus on protecting American manufacturing jobs through aggressive trade rhetoric. ## Border and Climate Rhetoric Trump described the border between the two nations as a simple line drawn by an individual using a ruler. He dismissed the geographic reality of the region, jokingly suggesting that the border was merely a way to let Canadians live in cold air. This commentary served to emphasize his unconventional approach to international relations. ## Political Context of Remarks Although the annexation offer was framed as a joke, the underlying message focused on perceived economic grievances. Trump emphasized that he was having a good time while delivering these lines, yet he maintained his critique of Canadian trade practices. The speech served to energize his base during the midterm election campaign cycle. ## Bilateral Economic Stability Despite the heated rhetoric, analysts note that trade between the two nations remains significantly more balanced than American trade with the rest of the world. The mystery persists regarding why Canada is currently being positioned as a primary economic adversary, given the deep integration of the two economies and shared industrial manufacturing interests. ## Sources covering this story - https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/trump-canada-51st-state-kansas-rally — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._