Trump taunts Trudeau as governor of the ‘Great State of Canada’

OTTAWA — Donald Trump referred to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the governor of the “Great State of Canada,” doubling down on taunting comments the U.S. president-elect reportedly made during a recent dinner between the two leaders.

Trump’s post to Truth Social early Tuesday says it was “a pleasure to have dinner the other night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.”

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Trudeau and his Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc attended a surprise dinner last month at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate after the president-elect threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports unless Canada beefs up its border.

LeBlanc says Trump was teasing when at the dinner he said he could make Canada the 51st U.S. State.

Trump’s post Tuesday says he looks forward to “seeing the Governor again soon so that we can continue our in depth talks on Tariffs and Trade.”

Trudeau has said steep tariffs would be devastating for the Canadian economy and described Trump’s approach as an attempt to destabilize negotiating partners by introducing a bit of chaos.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2024.

The Canadian Press