Trump reacts to Trudeau’s resignation: ‘A lot of people in Canada LOVE being the 51st state’

President-elect Trump on Monday reiterated his proposal for Canada to become the 51st US state, just hours after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his plan to step down.

“Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st state. The US can no longer suffer the massive trade deficits and subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this and resigned,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“If Canada merged with the US, there would be no tariffs, taxes would drop way down, and they would be TOTALLY SAFE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese ships that constantly surround them. Together, what a great nation it would be. !! !” he added.

Sources told Fox News in December that Trump brought up the merger idea to Trudeau personally when the pair met at Mar-a-Lago in late November.

CANADA’S TRUDEAU ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION AFTER PARTY PRESSURE AMID CRITICISM OF TRUMP, BUDGET HANDLING

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with President-elect Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida in late November to discuss issues such as the economy, illegal immigration and a proposed 25% tariff. (Justin Trudeau X)

Trudeau flew unannounced to Trump’s Florida residence that month after the president-elect threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products. Trump warns of 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico due to both nations’ failure to stem the flow of illegal immigrants and illegal drugs from those countries to the US

“We discussed many important issues that will require both countries to work together to solve, such as the fentanyl and drug crisis that has destroyed so many lives as a result of illegal immigration, fair trade agreements that do not put American workers at risk , and the massive trade deficit the US has with Canada,” Trump wrote on Truth Social at the time.

Trudeau announced earlier this morning that he will step down as prime minister and as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

TRUMP PLANS TO ‘IMMEDIATELY’ END BIDEN’S ‘RIDICULOUS’ BAN ON NEW OIL AND GAS DRILLING ALONG THE US COAST

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to media outside Rideau Cottage on Monday, Jan. 6, in Ottawa. (AP/Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

“I intend to step down as party leader as prime minister after the party has chosen its next leader through a robust nationwide competitive process,” Trudeau said in a speech Monday morning. “Last night I asked the leader of the Liberal Party to start that process. This country deserves a real choice at the next election and it has become clear to me that if I am going to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option at that election .”

Trudeau, who has led Canada for nearly a decade, has struggled for months with significant drops in his approval ratings amid mounting frustration over issues such as the skyrocketing cost of living and rising inflation.

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a campaign rally at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on October 15, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Canada. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

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The longtime prime minister saw a surge in calls for his resignation — from at least seven Liberal members of parliament as well as opposition party leaders — following the abrupt departure of his finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, who wrote a scathing resignation letter citing Trudeau’s handling of certain economic policies as well as the threats from Trump.

Fox News’ Michael Dorgan, Caitlin McFall and Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.