Trudeau warns of U.S. annexation threat in candid remarks

Trudeau addressed about 200 business and union representatives, emphasizing that the threat is a "real thing." The Prime Minister referred to his conversations with Trump, in which the American President was supposed to have suggested that the simplest way to acquire resources needed by the U.S. economy is to "absorb our country".

The public broadcaster Radio Canada reported that Trudeau's words were spoken after the official address, when journalists had left the room, but the microphone remained on, causing the media to hear what was meant to be behind closed doors.

Canada's Minister of Public Safety, David McGuinty, emphasized that the best way to confirm Canada’s sovereignty is to strengthen the border with the U.S. "I can’t interpret what the president is or is not saying about these comments. Canadians don’t accept this notion," said McGuinty.

The Canadian government announced the allocation of approximately 1.3 billion CAD for investments in border security.

Trudeau noted that Canada needs both a short-term, "tactical" response to the threat of tariffs from the U.S., and a long-term strategy to deal with a less cooperative United States.

He emphasized that it’s not just about solving the problem of U.S. tariffs within a few months, but about how Canada can strengthen itself over the next four years.

The Prime Minister of Canada identified three key topics for discussion: eliminating barriers to internal trade, ensuring favourable trade with the U.S., and effectively utilizing trade opportunities with Europe and the Pacific region.

Trudeau emphasized the necessity of creating strategic ties with the U.S. in sectors that matter, such as the critical minerals and energy sectors, to make them less susceptible to political turmoil.