Trump claims Canada would 'cease to exist' without US ahead of election

In the days leading up to Canada's national election, President Donald Trump made controversial remarks asserting that Canada would 'cease to exist' without the United States, emphasizing U.S. economic dominance and threatening increased tariffs on Canadian goods, especially automobiles. Trump reiterated that the U.S. does not need Canadian products like cars or oil, and floated the idea of making Canada the 51st state through economic coercion, though he recently pulled back on this rhetoric after speaking with Canada's new Prime Minister, Mark Carney. These statements have become a major election issue in Canada, fueling nationalist sentiment and influencing voter decisions, with some Canadians shifting their support to parties perceived as more capable of standing up to Trump. Prime Minister Carney responded by arguing that reducing internal Canadian trade barriers would benefit Canadians more than any losses caused by U.S. tariffs. The escalating tensions have led to a surge in Canadian patriotism and consumer efforts to buy local rather than American goods. Trump's actions and rhetoric continue to shape not only U.S.-Canada trade relations but also the political climate in Canada as voters head to the polls.