Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien responds to Trump’s comments about Canada becoming a U.S. state, urging respect for Canadian independence.

Chrétien, who led Canada from 1993 to 2003, made it clear that Canadians value their independence. He wrote in The Globe and Mail that Trump’s comments were not just jokes but serious insults to Canadian sovereignty.
He emphasized that Canada would never agree to such a thing. Chrétien said, “What could make you think that Canadians would ever give up the best country in the world?” He reminded Trump that Canadians might seem easy-going, but they have a lot of pride and resilience.
The relationship between the U.S. and Canada is crucial, especially since Canada supplies a significant amount of oil to the U.S. and is a major trading partner. Chrétien also pointed out that threats and insults won’t win over Canadians.
As Trump prepares to take office, Canadian officials are already discussing border security to avoid potential tariffs he has threatened. The stakes are high, and both countries need to navigate this relationship carefully.