Trump: I would love to see Canada become the 51st state… the Canadian citizens… would have much better health coverage

Trump Suggests Canada Would Have ‘Much Better’ Health Coverage as the 51st State

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Canadians would receive “much better” health coverage if Canada became the 51st U.S. state.

Speaking in North Carolina during a briefing on Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, Trump made the remarks while discussing taxation and health care.

“I would love to see Canada be the 51st state,” he said. “If that happened, Canadian citizens would get a tremendous tax cut because they are very highly taxed.”

“They’d have much better health coverage. I think the people of Canada would like it,” he added.

No Tariffs Under Canadian Statehood

Trump has repeatedly floated imposing 25% tariffs on Canadian exports starting Feb. 1. However, he suggested that if Canada were to become part of the U.S., he would remove trade restrictions altogether.

“I’d let business go to Canada routinely. And then, there would be no tariffs,” he said.

His comments came shortly after another round of criticism toward U.S.-Canada trade relations, a frequent talking point of his in recent weeks. Trump reiterated his stance that the U.S. does not need Canadian products, including cars, lumber, and food, claiming “we make the same products on the other side of the border.”

Despite Trump’s assertions, trade between the two countries is significant. According to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, approximately $3.6 billion in goods cross the border daily. Canada’s forestry exports alone were valued at $45.6 billion in 2022, and the U.S.-Canada trade relationship supports 3.7 million jobs across both nations.

When asked about tariffs more broadly, Trump defended them, saying: “We are going to be a rich, rich country very soon… The word ‘tariff’ is one of the most beautiful words in the dictionary.”

Canadian Leaders Push Back

Trump’s remarks have sparked strong reactions within Canada’s political landscape, particularly regarding his tariff threats.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford confirmed Friday that Ontario will hold an early election on Feb. 27, widely seen as a move to strengthen Canada’s position against U.S. trade policies. As chair of the Council of the Federation, Ford leads the premiers’ collective opposition to Trump’s tariff plans.

For the governing Liberal Party, which will choose a new leader ahead of the next federal election, Trump’s trade rhetoric underscores the importance of selecting someone who can effectively stand up to the former U.S. president.

Ottawa has already laid the groundwork for a multi-phase retaliatory response against potential U.S. tariffs. According to a senior government source, Canada is prepared to impose counter-tariffs on key industries in Republican-leaning states.

The first round of retaliation would take immediate effect and include tariffs on Florida orange juice and Kentucky bourbon, with the prime minister also urging Canadians to avoid purchasing those products.

U.S. vs. Canada on Health Care

Trump’s claim that Canada would have improved health care under U.S. governance comes amid ongoing debates about health care systems in both countries.

Unlike the U.S., Canada’s Medicare system is publicly funded and administered at the provincial and territorial levels. While American health care operates largely through private insurance, Canada’s government-run system provides universal coverage, though access and wait times remain common points of debate.

Trump’s remarks are likely to fuel further discussion on trade, tariffs, and Canada-U.S. relations as tensions between the two countries continue to build.