President-elect Donald Trump overnight derided Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “governor” of the “Great State of Canada” after recently warning of possible tariffs on the country.
“It was a pleasure to recently have dinner with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada,” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social account just after midnight on Tuesday. “I look forward to seeing the Governor again soon so we can continue our in-depth conversations on tariffs and trade, the results of which will be truly spectacular for everyone!”
When asked for comment on the president-elect’s joke, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said only, “It’s so good.”
Trudeau’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump recently joked that Canada should become the 51st state, even suggesting it directly to Trudeau during their dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Fox News reported, citing two people at the table who overheard the discussion.
In his speech last week with Kristen Welker, host of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Trump made a similar suggestion while discussing how his plan to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico would make the U.S. “rich,” wiping out the trade deficit between the US and Canada would become a form of subsidy. .
“We subsidize Canada to the tune of more than $100 billion a year. We subsidize Mexico to the tune of almost $300 billion. We shouldn’t do that – why are we subsidizing these countries? If we are going to subsidize them, let them be a state,” he said in the interview broadcast on Sunday.
Trudeau said Monday that Canada would respond to unfair tariffs “as we did eight years ago,” according to the Associated Press.
Trump hosted Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago on November 30, with the president-elect saying on Truth Social that they had a “very productive meeting” where they discussed addressing the fentanyl and drug crisis, illegal immigration and “fair trade deals” . “
Trudeau told reporters afterward in West Palm Beach, Florida, that he had an “excellent” conversation with Trump but did not answer any further questions.
Last week, Ontario Premier Doug Ford was asked on Fox News about Trump’s joke about Canada joining the US.
Ford complimented Trump’s sense of humor. “It’s a funny comment. “I think he’s still angry because we burned down your White House in 1812, and he’s still holding a grudge after 212 years,” Ford said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., joked earlier this month that he would be in favor of Canada becoming part of America.
“Trump has suggested that Canada become the 51st state in our union,” he wrote in a post on % less per capita spend on health care?”
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
