"Many people in Canada want (Canada) to become the 51st state of the United States. The United States can no longer afford the massive trade deficits and subsidies that Canada needs to survive. Justin Trudeau knows this and has resigned," US President-elect Donald Trump commented on the social network Truth Social on January 6.

Mr. Trump added that if Canada "merged" with the United States, there would be no tariffs, Canadians would only pay lower taxes and both would be completely safe from threats.

"Together, it will be a great Nation!!!", Mr. Trump wrote.

Recently, Mr. Trump has repeatedly mentioned the idea of ​​Canada becoming the 51st state of the United States.

“If Canada became our 51st state, they would get a 60% tax cut, their businesses would instantly double in size, and they would have military protection like no other country in the world,” he commented last month.

In another post, Mr. Trump said he encouraged former professional hockey star Wayne Gretzky to run for prime minister of Canada.

Previously, he threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico until the two countries tightened the illegal drug trade, especially fentanyl, as well as reduced the flow of illegal migrants across the border.

Mr Trudeau attempted to discuss the issue directly with President-elect Trump during a visit to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida in early December. However, during dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Mr Trump jokingly called Mr Trudeau “governor” and joked that Canada should become the 51st state of the US.

Since then, Mr. Trump has continued to joke, speculating that Canada could even be split into two states, one conservative and one liberal. He has also talked about buying Greenland, the world’s largest island off the northeastern coast of Canada and an autonomous territory of Denmark.

Mr Trump's latest comments on Canada came after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation, ending nine years of leading the country.

Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Trudeau affirmed that Canada needs a real choice in the next election and he himself realizes that he cannot be the best choice. Mr. Trudeau will continue to lead Canada until the Liberal Party chooses a new leader.

During Mr. Trudeau’s nearly decade in power, the Liberal Party has achieved many successes, such as introducing progressive policies and protecting women’s rights. However, challenges in solving the immigration issue and internal conflicts as well as the Covid-19 pandemic have caused his reputation to decline.