The US president has repeated his claim that the neighboring country would be better off it became the 51st state

US President Donald Trump has encouraged Canadians to vote for him as the leader of their country in their federal election, reiterating his proposal to have America's northern neighbor become the 51st state of the USA.

In a message on his Truth Social platform on Monday, Trump wished "good luck to the great people of Canada" as they went to the polls.

However, his message quickly turned controversial when he suggested that Canadians should "elect the man who has the strength and wisdom" to cut taxes in half and increase military power "for free" to "the highest level in the world," apparently referring to himself.

Trump suggested that if Canada becomes the "cherished 51st state" of the US, it would also lead to benefits like a "quadrupling" of industries such as steel, aluminum, energy and "all other businesses" and free the country from tariffs and taxes.

"Look how beautiful this land mass would be. Free access with NO BORDER. ALL POSITIVES WITH NO NEGATIVES. IT WAS MEANT TO BE!" Trump's post said, noting that Canada's border with the US was an "artificially drawn line from many years ago."

Leaders from both Canada's Liberal and Conservative party have condemned Trump's comments and argued that their faction would be in the best position to lead the country, particularly amid challenges posed by the Trump presidency.

Trump initially brought up the idea of Canada becoming a US state in December 2024, arguing that Washington already subsidizes its northern neighbor to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars per year and that there is currently a massive bilateral trade imbalance between the two countries.

Ottawa has vehemently rejected Trump's proposal, both under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his successor Mark Carney, who has stressed that Canada will "never, ever, in any way, shape, or form, be part of the United States."

Carney was elected leader of Canada's ruling Liberal Party last month after Trudeau resigned in January due to low approval ratings amid an ongoing housing crisis, soaring inflation rates and economic struggles.

Monday's election is set to decide if the Liberal Party maintains its nearly decade-long rule or if it will be replaced by Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party. Recent polls have suggested a tight race, with neither side expected to win an outright majority, which would result in a minority government.

(RT.com)