Is canada joining the usa
Executive summary
There is no evidence Canada is joining the United States as of the reporting in these sources; top Canadian leaders say it’s not happening and polls show most Canadians oppose it (e.g., 77% oppose in a YouGov poll) [1] [2]. U.S. President Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of Canada becoming a “51st state” or otherwise joining the U.S., and analysts note a theoretical legal pathway (treaty, congressional approval) but also substantial political, legal and public-opinion barriers [3] [4].
1. Trump’s pitch: repeated rhetoric, not a binding plan
President Trump has publicly said Canada joining the U.S. “would be the greatest thing” and suggested economic pressure and incentives rather than military force to encourage it; he paused tariffs at times while continuing to speak about annexation and incentives such as access to a missile-defence program in public comments [3] [5]. These statements are political declarations and proposals, not documented treaties or congressional actions; available sources do not report that the U.S. government has passed any legal measures to annex or admit Canada (not found in current reporting).
2. Canadian political leadership: categorical rejection
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and opposition leaders have repeatedly and publicly rejected the idea that Canada will become a U.S. state. Trudeau said there was “not a snowball’s chance in hell” of Canada joining the United States and reiterated Canadians do not want to become the 51st state [1] [6]. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre likewise stated “Canada will never be the 51st state” [1].
3. Public opinion: strong majority against, pockets of openness
Multiple polls in early 2025 show the vast majority of Canadians oppose joining the U.S. — YouGov reported about 77% opposed and 15% supportive [2], while Angus Reid and other surveys show similar majorities though with variance by province [7] [8]. Some polling spots, notably parts of Alberta, showed relatively higher openness (around high teens percentage-wise), but even there support remained a small minority [7].
4. Legal and constitutional reality: theoretically possible but practically enormous hurdles
Academic and legal commentary note that a legal route to merge or cede territory — via treaties, congressional approval, or purchase — exists in U.S. constitutional practice (historical precedents like Hawaii’s annexation are cited), but would require formal treaties and supermajorities in Congress and comparable authoritative Canadian action; that makes any realistic near-term annexation legally complex and politically fraught [4]. Analysts stress the U.S. would need to draft and ratify a treaty and Congress would need to approve it, with a two‑thirds Senate majority cited as necessary [4].
5. Political dynamics and domestic incentives on both sides
Reporting and commentary frame Trump’s talk as part of broader trade and tariff disputes; his threats of tariffs and statements about expansion have increased Canadian nationalism and influenced political campaigning in Canada [9] [10]. Some Canadian commentators and outlets treat the rhetoric as a provocation that has mobilized voters and political leaders against perceived U.S. economic coercion [9] [10].
6. Alternative views and why they matter
Some opinion writers say a merger or closer union must be “on our terms” if ever proposed, discussing how representation and governance would change (e.g., implications for Senate representation) and pointing out that while theoretically possible, a merger would have to reconcile very different political systems and public expectations [11]. Conversely, a minority of U.S. political actors and some fringe media have pushed the idea more seriously, framing annexation as desirable — but these views lack the legal steps or Canadian political consent needed to make them operative [3] [12].
7. Bottom line and limitations of reporting
The bottom line in available reporting: Canada is not joining the U.S.; Canadian leaders reject it and public opinion is strongly opposed, while Trump’s statements have fueled debate and speculation [1] [2]. Sources for this summary do not report any treaty, congressional action, Canadian referendum or formal negotiation that would put Canada on a path to join the United States; they instead document rhetoric, legal theory about how it might be done, and strong political resistance [4] [6].
If you want, I can pull together a short timeline of the key public statements and polls from January–May 2025 cited here, or summarize the specific legal steps experts say would be required for any territorial change.