President-elect Donald Trump mocked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau overnight as the "governor" of the "Great State of Canada" after having recently warned of tariffs on the country.
"It was a pleasure to have dinner the other night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada," Trump wrote on his Truth Social account at just after midnight Tuesday. "I look forward to seeing the Governor again soon so that we may continue our in depth talks on Tariffs and Trade, the results of which will be truly spectacular for all!"
Reached for comment on the quip, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said only, "It's so good."
Trudeau’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump has recently joked that Canada should become the 51st state, even suggesting it directly to Trudeau during their dinner at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida home, Fox News reported, citing two people at the table who heard the discussion.
Speaking to host Kristen Welker on NBC News' "Meet the Press" last week, Trump made a similar suggestion as he discussed how his plan to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico would make the U.S. "rich," characterizing the U.S.-Canada trade deficit as a form of subsidy.
"We’re subsidizing Canada to the tune over $100 billion a year. We’re subsidizing Mexico for almost $300 billion. We shouldn’t be — why are we subsidizing these countries? If we’re going to subsidize them, let them become a state," he said in the interview, which aired Sunday.
Trudeau said Monday that Canada would, “as we did eight years ago, respond to unfair tariffs,” The Associated Press reported.
Trump hosted Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago on Nov. 30 and said on Truth Social that they had a "very productive meeting" at which they discussed addressing the fentanyl and drug crisis, illegal immigration and "fair trade deals."
Trudeau told reporters afterward that he had an “excellent” conversation with Trump but did not take any further questions.
Last week, the premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, was asked on Fox News about Trump's reported joke about Canada's joining the U.S.
Ford complimented Trump’s sense of humor. “It’s a funny comment. I guess he’s still upset that, you know, in 1812, we burnt down your White House, and he’s holding a grudge after 212 years,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., joked this month that he would support Canada’s becoming part of the U.S.
"Trump has suggested that Canada become the 51st state in our union," he wrote on X. "Does that mean that we can adopt the Canadian health care system and guarantee health care to all, lower the cost of prescription drugs, and spend 50% less per capita on health care?"
