# Trump claims Canadians want to be the 51 US state. Canadian dopers any thoughts? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [January 8, 2025, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730 "2025-01-08T17:47:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2025, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/201 "2025-01-15T01:42:23Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > If Trump was running in a true multiparty system, like Canada, he might still win, but he’d never get anywhere near 50%. It’s a two-party system that has allowed Trump to get where he is. Nope, The religious Right would have a couple of parties, and trump would get the coalition. This is how Boris Johnson got the Job and Netanyahu and several other Right wing populists who have become the PMs in parliamentary multiparty systems. And didnt Italy elect a fascist just recently? > [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Trump just wants Greenland because someone told him it was valuable, The USA briefly had control of Greenland in WW2. > [@survinga](#): > > Trump is attacking Panama because he owes taxes and was sued. He hates China and China does seem to maybe be taking too much control. Maybe. Possibly. Sorta. Kinda. A little. ---
**Author:** ![survinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2025, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/202 "2025-01-15T03:51:22Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > He hates China and China does seem to maybe be taking too much control. Maybe. Possibly. Sorta. Kinda. A little. Trump has been lying about China and the Panama Canal. Yes, they ship a lot all over the world, and certainly are heavy users of the Panama Canal. But they don’t control the canal, and they don’t have soldiers guarding the canal. He can confront China on a number of fronts without throwing Panama under the bus, just because he owes taxes down there. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2025, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/203 "2025-01-15T03:57:27Z")
Why does he owe taxes in Panama? ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2025, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/204 "2025-01-15T04:20:44Z")
Getting Greenland allows Trump to threaten Iceland while possibly collecting five extra armies per turn, if the invasion of Canada goes well. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2025, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/205 "2025-01-15T04:21:40Z")
> [@survinga](#): > > Yes, they ship a lot all over the world, and certainly are heavy users of the Panama Canal. They ship a lot all over the world because the rest of the world collectively buys a metric shit-tonne of the stuff they manufacture. And their vessels use the Panama Canal because it’s cheaper to supply the US East Coast & Europe by that route than going via the Cape of Good Hope or docking on the US east coast and railing goods across. It’s not a devious conspiracy, simply the most efficient logistics. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2025, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/206 "2025-01-15T04:23:16Z")
Background. > **[Trump Organization accused of tax evasion in Panama: What we know](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-panama-canal-threats-hotel-taxes-court-filing-2005079)** > > A hotel owner has accused Trump of evading millions of dollars in taxes in Panama. ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2025, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/207 "2025-01-15T04:26:42Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > > [@Mallard](#): > > > > “if we get Canada, then we’ll get health care”. > > Ahh yes, harvested from the Great Healthcare Fields of Saskatchewan! As I always remind my 25 y/o grandaughter who lives in the US, she was born on the same calendar date as Tommy Douglas, the “greatest Canadian” (Oct 20) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2025, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/208 "2025-01-15T05:56:57Z")
> [@survinga](#): > > But they don’t control the canal, and they don’t have soldiers guarding the canal. The do control the ports on both sides of the Canal. > **[The US is right to be concerned about China’s influence over the Panama Canal](https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/right-to-be-concerned-about-chinas-influence-over-the-panama-canal/)** > > Legitimate concerns about growing Chinese influence over the canal demand Washington’s attention and warrant a measured, diplomatic approach. _Trump’s recent comments on the Panama Canal’s transit fees and Chinese influence have thrust the canal to the forefront of US strategic discourse. Chinese companies such as [Landbridge Group](https://www.landbridge.com.hk/about.html) and the Hong Kong-based [CK Hutchison Holdings](https://www.ckh.com.hk/en/global/home.php) now [operate ports](https://www.csis.org/analysis/key-decision-point-coming-panama-canal) at both ends of the canal. This presence raises concerns about potential dual-use infrastructure and strategic maneuvering, particularly given China’s [deepening ties](https://dialogue.earth/en/business/26121-belt-and-road-the-new-face-of-china-in-latin-america/) to Latin America._… _The rhetoric, while appealing to nationalist sentiments, risks undermining decades of diplomacy, established international law, and US-Panama relations. However, Washington cannot afford to overlook China’s growing influence, particularly given the canal’s strategic importance in the US-China competition—China ranks as its [second-largest](https://www.statista.com/statistics/710499/share-cargo-volume-panama-canal-by-country/#:~:text=In%20the%20fiscal%20year%202021,through%20the%20Canal%20that%20year.) customer._ So, there is real concern. But military action is ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2025, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/209 "2025-01-15T06:23:31Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > However, Washington cannot afford to overlook China’s growing influence … China ranks as its second-largest customer. Every US based sales & marketing strategy every written, (or at least read by me) starts with the basic meme “The customer is always right”. But the US now seems inclined to either annexe or declare war on it’s biggest customers. ---
**Author:** ![survinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2025, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/210 "2025-01-15T14:11:14Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The do control the ports on both sides of the Canal. Two Chinese companies that “operate” ports is not the same as “China controlling” the ports. China does not control the canal. They don’t control the ports around the canal. They don’t have military there. And Panama isn’t mistreating American shipping interests. Trump’s framing of this issue is extremely dishonest, and we shouldn’t budget an inch to sanewash what he’s saying. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2025, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/211 "2025-01-15T18:33:26Z")
This is all about the taxes he owes in Panama. Just a little revenge. Invade a sovereign nation to keep from having to pay. SOP. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/212 "2025-01-19T02:12:24Z")
In other news, there’s a Canadian company that is making hats and toques, mainly red and white, but some blue and white, with slogans like: « Canada Is Not For Sale » « True North Strong and Free » « Canada 1867 » Also available in French. After Premier Doug Ford’s little dust-up with Fox News, they sent him a « Not for Sale » cap (in blue and white, natch 🧢). Ford wore it to the recent meeting of the PM and all the provincial premiers, which Trudeau called to craft a unified Team Canada response to Trump’s annexationist threats. (Alberta’s premier, fresh from her traitorous trip to Mar-a-Lago to bend the knee, of course went offside, but that’s a different story.) And the company now has 20,000 orders, mainly from Canada but also from around the world, including the US. > **[20,000 and counting: From the U.S. to Australia, entrepreneur says sales are...](https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/canada-is-not-for-sale-hats-take-canadian-entrepreneur-on-very-wild-ride/)** > > A Canadian entrepreneur says he hasn’t slept much in the last few days, describing the experience as a ‘a very wild ride’ after his company’s ‘Canada is not for sale’ hat was worn by Ontario Premier Doug Ford. (I have the link to the company’s page, but won’t post it to respect SDMB rules about not posting commercial links. If you want the link, send me a pm.) ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/213 "2025-01-19T02:17:36Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > (Alberta’s premier, fresh from her traitorous trip to Mar-a-Lago to bend the knee, of course went offside, but that’s a different story.) If what I hear on the street is any indication, Albertans aren’t terribly impressed by, as some have said, Smith’s attempt to suck up to Donald Trump. They would prefer that Alberta stood united with the other provinces in this matter. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/214 "2025-01-19T02:19:05Z")
Canada and Greenland need to move on from the whole, ‘Not For Sale’, thing! He’s already said he’d use force or finance. ‘Not For sale’, misses the point entirely to my mind. They both need to step up their game. Because this is just lame. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/215 "2025-01-19T02:31:46Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > He’s already said he’d use force or finance. And he’s full of shit on both counts and has no intent of doing either. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/216 "2025-01-19T03:32:51Z")
Again, minor disagree. More it’s like the usual Trump. He’ll mouth off on some “brilliant” thought that crossed his mind. If _other_ people like it, do the work, and pay the price (money, political will, lives, what have you) he’s happy as long as he gets credit (and a cut) and adulation. If (other) people don’t make it work out, then they were at fault, failed, traitorous, or it was all just a “joke”. One way or another, he would like it to happen (because it’ll further inflate his ego) but he’s not likely to take much _active_ action on his part to _make_ it happen. But if someone else does… ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/217 "2025-01-19T03:48:10Z")
1. 50 years ago, there was a campaign to “Make the US the 11th province.” Time to dust that off! 2. Defence Scheme Number 1 was developed in the 1920s in case of an American invasion. It was basically launch small scale guerrilla attacks on US cities to keep the US off balance, blow bridges and tunnels, retreat, and wait for the British navy to show up. Extra bonus: Britain and Japan were in a mutual assistance pact that meant the Japanese navy would also come to Canada’s aid. Extra special bonus: the military planners counted on the Japanese following their usual practice of declaring war after they began hostilities as a real advantage. 3. In the 1970s, the magazine The Last Post opined that if Canada really wanted to defend itself against a US invasion, the Canadian military could start now by seizing US branch plants in Canada. 4. The Penthouse, a Vancouver strip club, put up a sign that reads “Forever neighbours, never neighbors.” Twitter/X temporarily banned the club’s account on the grounds the slogan was hate speech. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/218 "2025-01-19T03:52:53Z")
I’m glad to hear that Xitter still has some standards preventing hate speech. Thanks, Elon! ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/219 "2025-01-19T04:01:29Z")
Note the spellings. Gives the message a whole new meaning. ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730/220 "2025-01-19T08:46:05Z")
> [@Kropotkin](#): > > 50 years ago, there was a campaign to “Make the US the 11th province.” Time to dust that off! Canada: we’re bigger, and we’re on top. If this was prison, the United States would be our bitch. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-claims-canadians-want-to-be-the-51-us-state-canadian-dopers-any-thoughts/1012730.md?page=12)