Trump's threats to Canada's sovereignty 'unacceptable' says N.L. premier
Furey plans to attend Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20
In the wake of mounting threats from U.S. president-elect Donald Trump to use "economic force" to absorb Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador premier Andrew Furey is hitting back, saying it's rhetoric designed to create chaos but still stressed it needs to be taken seriously.
Trump has yet to take office, but has already threatened to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods, has repeatedly mused about making Canada the 51st state, and has referred to outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as Canada's "governor."
"Look, I have serious concerns about President Trump's comments," Furey told reporters on Wednesday.
"I have taken a different position from day one on the comments. I don't dismiss them as jokes, I take them very serious."
Furey said Trump has a history of creating chaos with statements, and using ostensible humour, only for those statements to become policy later.
In light of that, Furey said dismissing Trumps's comments about Canada's sovereignty would be a mistake — but he also doesn't think much of them.
"This is a strong and sovereign country, and it will always be a strong and sovereign country," said Furey.
He added it's unfortunate that an ally is threatening the country's sovereignty, something he called "completely unacceptable."
"Sovereignty comes at an incredible price. Price paid by blood. By Canadians and Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and to try to take that away is going to come at a significant cost," said Furey.
Furey joins a mounting chorus across Canada, made up of politicians who have condemned Trump's comments about Canada becoming a state.
"Our country is not for sale. It will never be for sale," said Ontario premier Doug Ford. "Let's stop wasting time and ridiculous ideas about merging and instead focus our efforts on restoring the pride of made in Canada and made in the U.S.A."
Trudeau has also shot back at Trump's rhetoric that Canada become a state.
"There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States," Trudeau wrote on X.
A joke
Avalon MP Ken McDonald takes a different view from Furey, saying Trump's comments were "a joke" and suggesting the incoming president wants to get himself more airtime on U.S. television.
"But there's no way they're going to take over Canada. I mean I'd die on the cross for that one," he told reporters.
"I wouldn't put much credence in anything Donald Trump says."
Earlier this week, Trudeau announced he was stepping down as party leader and Prime Minister. The Liberals will now have to hold a leadership race, but McDonald said the government can still address Trump's threats.
"The main thing we've got to focus on with Trump, I think, is the trade tariffs," he said.
U.S. as 11th province?
Furey also said he had accepted an invitation to attend Trump's swearing in as U.S. president on Jan. 20.
"In reality there will be, you know, multiple opportunities to revisit Washington in a co-ordinated effort with a Team Canada approach," said Furey.
He added that half of his family are from the U.S. and that his wife is an American, and people in the U.S. will also be hurt by the proposed tariffs.
"By the way, I think it'd be way better if they were the 11th province," he quipped, before launching into a Trump impersonation, adopting Trump's signature way of making large gestures with his arms. "'They could be a great territory.'"
"But," Furey said laughing, "we need to make sure that they understand the economic impacts on the table."
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With files from CBC News Network