Hours after the resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump claimed once again yesterday that many Canadians want to see Canada become a U.S. state.  

Global News says Trump wrote in a post to his social media platform Truth Social on January 6 that “many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State.”

According to Global News, Trump continued that “The United States can no longer suffer the massive Trade Deficits and Subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this, and resigned.   If Canada “merged” with the U.S., “there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them.”

Trump reportedly first floated the idea in early December after Justin Trudeau flew to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property and dined with the president to-be.

After their dinner, Fox News, citing anonymous sources, reported that Trump suggested to Trudeau that if the tariffs would kill the Canadian economy then maybe the country should become the 51st state.

Trump has threatened that when he becomes president this month he will impose massive tariffs on all goods from Canada unless it stops the flow of migrants and illegal drugs into the U.S.

Independent says Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as Liberal Party leader and he will remain as Canadian prime minister until the party has chosen a successor.

Justin Trudeau announced his resignation on January 6.

“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process,” Trudeau said Monday.  “This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I am having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”

Independent notes that it’s the end of a nine-year stint in office, as pressure grew from within his Liberal Party which is trailing significantly behind the opposition Conservatives in the polls.