Trudeau warns of real threat amid Trump's annexation talk

Trudeau addressed about 200 business and union representatives, emphasising that the threat is a "real thing". The Prime Minister referred to his conversations with Trump, in which the American President is supposed to have suggested that the simplest way to acquire resources needed by the U.S. economy is to "absorb our country".

The public broadcaster Radio Canada reported that Trudeau's words were spoken after the official address, when journalists had left the room, but the microphone remained on, causing the media to hear what was meant to be behind closed doors.

Canada's Minister of Public Safety, David McGuinty, emphasised that the best way to confirm Canada’s sovereignty is to strengthen the border with the USA. "I can’t interpret what the president is or is not saying about these comments. Canadians don’t accept this notion," said McGuinty.

The Canadian government announced the allocation of approximately £730 million for investments in border security.

Trudeau noted that Canada needs both a short-term, "tactical" response to the threat of tariffs from the USA, and a long-term strategy to deal with a less cooperative United States.

He emphasised that it’s not just about solving the problem of U.S. tariffs within a few months, but about how Canada can strengthen itself over the next four years.

The Prime Minister of Canada identified three key topics for discussion: eliminating barriers to internal trade, ensuring favourable trade with the USA, and effectively utilising trade opportunities with Europe and the Pacific region.

Trudeau emphasised the necessity of creating strategic ties with the USA in sectors that matter, such as the critical minerals and energy sectors, to make them less susceptible to political turmoil.