Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has firmly dismissed US President-elect Donald Trump’s suggestion that Canada could become the 51st US state through "economic force," calling the idea absurd.

“There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would join the United States,” Trudeau stated on social media. He emphasized the mutual benefits both nations enjoy as major trading and security partners.

The remarks stemmed from a meeting in November when Trump floated the idea in response to Trudeau’s concerns over potential US tariffs on Canadian goods. The tariffs, Trump argued, were necessary to address Canada’s trade surplus with the United States.

Speaking at a press briefing in Mar-a-Lago, Trump clarified that military action was not on the table, stating, “No, economic force. Canada and the United States as one entity—that would really be something.” He also criticized the US-Canada border as an "artificially drawn line."

Canadian officials swiftly rebuffed the notion. Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly criticized Trump’s comments, describing them as a misunderstanding of Canada’s strength as an independent nation. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre echoed this sentiment, asserting, "Canada will never be the 51st state. We are a proud, sovereign nation."

Trudeau, under pressure due to his Liberal Party's declining popularity, recently announced plans to step down as Prime Minister in the coming months. Meanwhile, polls indicate a strong likelihood of victory for the opposition Conservatives in the next federal election, which must take place by October 20.

Donald Trump will assume the presidency of the United States on January 20.