Summary
Donald Trump’s push to annex Canada as the 51st U.S. state is confusing due to its sudden and unexplained emergence.
Initially praising Canada as an ally, Trump now aggressively seeks annexation, imposing tariffs, criticizing trade deficits, and challenging established borders and treaties.
Former officials and congressional Republicans express bewilderment, stating they have “no clue” about Trump’s motivation.
Canadian leaders and the U.S. business community strongly oppose the move, citing sovereignty and economic harm.
Republicans also question Trump’s strategy, noting annexation would add millions of liberal-leaning voters and complicate American politics.
Point 1 will be underscored regularly by his oligarch cronies, like Musk, Bezos and Brin - those that want to build rockets, electronics and batteries. They would love for the US to become totally independent of China, in minerals but also production capacity and price levels.
Point 3 will be mostly military talking points, and although it’s not in the media much, the race for the Arctic has been on for a while.
Points 2 and 4 are about raw power on the world stage, and that’s something Trump does understand. He doesn’t believe in cultural, diplomatic or economic power - only military. It also rhymes with nazi ideology about Lebensraum, a homeland for the ‘pure race’ that derives its global power from its purity. It might also involve a breeding ideology.