Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in a talk with business leaders, said Canada’s wealth of critical minerals are behind Mr. Trump’s comments about making its northern neighbor a U.S. state.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says President Donald Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st state is “a real thing” and is linked to the country’s rich natural resources.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a business gathering on Friday that US President Donald Trump’s threat to annex Canada “is a real thing,” two Canadian business leaders who were at the meeting confirmed to CNN.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada must think “tactically and strategically” on how to deal with U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to impose hefty tariffs on all Canadian imports

Canada will keep trying to persuade the Trump administration to drop its tariff plans, in part by reaching out to US states that have significant trading relationships with their northern neighbor, trade minister Mary Ng said.

Canada is deepening economic ties with the EU and advocating for global trade rules as the U.S. considers new tariffs, Trade Minister Mary Ng told Reuters. Since implementing a free trade deal in 2017,