Tariff War of North America-2025

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Should Canadians Roll Out the Welcome Mat for Trump’s 51st State Proposal? By Jay Chauhan*

Ah, Canada—the land of politeness, hockey, and the world’s best maple syrup. And now, thanks to U.S. president with a flair for the dramatic, we find ourselves facing an unexpected question: Should Canada become the 51st state? My answer? A polite but firm no, thank you.

For starters, we Canadians have a rather quaint way of settling disputes. We go to court, present our case, and let a neutral judge decide. South of the border, let’s just say that courtroom drama sometimes gives way to actual drama—and often, the loudest person in the room (or the one with the most lawyers) wins. And when someone is really angry goes into a gun shop and gets a machine gun or rifle. I think we’ll stick to our system, thanks.

Then there’s the issue of global politics. Once upon a time, the U.S. played the role of the world’s responsible big brother—keeping the peace, enforcing international rules, and generally making sure things didn’t spiral into chaos. Under Trump, however, America seemed to prefer sitting back with a bucket of popcorn, watching the world’s problems unfold like a reality TV show. If the United Nations was already struggling to keep the peace, America’s hands-off approach certainly didn’t help.

And speaking of reality TV, Trump’s interactions with world leaders have been more dramatic than a season finale of The Bachelor. Take poor President Zelensky, who not only had to fight a war but also endure public fashion critiques and demands for mineral payments in exchange for U.S. aid. International diplomacy used to be about strategy and decorum—now it’s more like a late-night roast.

On the economic front, let’s not forget the infamous 25% tariffs Trump slapped on his neighbors to the north and south. Canada and Mexico, once happily bound by NAFTA, suddenly found themselves in a trade war they never signed up for. Decades of friendship tossed aside like an expired carton of milk. Do we really want to risk another War of 1812 over aluminum and dairy products?

Finally, let’s talk culture—because if there’s one thing Canadians take seriously, it’s our sips of wine and copious amount of beer. As I write this, I’m enjoying a fine glass of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s best, reminiscing about weekends spent there with my late wife, Sylvia. I miss her and her polite English manners. So, I must say, kudos to Premier Doug Ford for keeping American wines off our shelves. If the U.S. wants to absorb Canada, they might want to start by improving their vintages first!

So, should we let Trump turn Canada into the 51st state? Let’s just say we’ll keep being friendly neighbors—but we’re not ready to move in together just yet.

Jay Chauhan is author of Love in the Empire, a historical love story after the end of British Empire available on Amazon.