Trump’s latest ‘wish’ about Canada has Canadians saying ‘not now, not ever’

Donald Trump said he was serious about his desire for Canada to become a U.S. state, vexing many Canadians.

In an interview that aired Sunday on Fox News, anchor Bret Baier asked the president about comments made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a private meeting on Friday.

“He said that your wish for Canada be the 51st state is a quote, ‘real thing.’ Is it a real thing?” Baier asked.

“Yeah, it is,” Trump replied. “I think Canada would be much better off being a 51st state, because we lose $200 billion a year with Canada and I’m not going to let that happen.”

“It’s too much. Why are we paying $200 billion a year, essentially in subsidy to Canada? Now, if they are a 51st state, I don’t mind doing it,” he added.

The U.S. doesn’t provide any such “subsidy” to Canada, but Trump has cited that figure before. He was referring to trade deficits and U.S. defense spending that Canada benefits from, a transition spokesperson told CNN last month.