Canadian investor and “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary expressed interest in brokering a deal with President-elect Donald Trump to create an “economic union” between the US and Canada. Trump has previously suggested that Canada become the 51st state, which has sparked conversations among Canadians about the potential merger. O’Leary believes that at least half of Canadians would support such a union and sees it as a way to combine the economies, erase borders, and strengthen security in the northern territories where China and Russia are becoming more prevalent.
O’Leary acknowledged that there would be challenges and issues that would need to be addressed if Canada were to join the US, but he views Trump’s interest in the idea as a starting point for establishing an economic union. He proposed ideas such as a common currency, unified taxes, increased trade, and a new passport system similar to the EU. O’Leary believes that many Canadians are intrigued by the concept and see the potential benefits of merging with the US in terms of economic growth and security.
A key obstacle that O’Leary highlighted is the current state of the Canadian government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom Trump has criticized for supposedly ripping off the US in trade deals. O’Leary does not believe Trudeau would be the right person to negotiate such a deal and suggested that his leadership may not be sustainable in the long run. Trump has been taunting Trudeau by referring to Canada as a potential US state and calling Trudeau its “governor,” further highlighting the strained relationship between the two leaders.
To advance the idea of a US-Canada economic union, O’Leary plans to take the initiative and start the conversation himself. He voiced his concerns about Trudeau leading negotiations and suggested that he would be a more trustworthy figure to represent Canadian interests in discussions with Trump. O’Leary’s goal is to build support among Canadians for the idea and demonstrate that the merger could lead to favorable outcomes for both countries. He believes that most Canadians would trust him to negotiate a deal with Trump.
In a social media post on Christmas Day, Trump reiterated his stance that Canada should become a US state due to its high taxes. He claimed that taxes for Canadians would be reduced by more than 60% if Canada joined the US and asserted that Canadian businesses would see significant growth. Trump also emphasized the military protection that Canada would receive as a US state, suggesting that it would be a benefit for both nations. His comments further fueled discussions about the potential benefits and challenges of a US-Canada economic union.
Overall, the idea of merging the US and Canada into an economic union has gained attention and sparked debates among citizens of both countries. O’Leary and Trump’s interest in the proposal has brought the concept to the forefront, with discussions focusing on the potential economic advantages, security enhancements, and challenges involved in such a merger. The relationship between the leaders of the two nations, particularly Trump and Trudeau, will likely play a significant role in any negotiations that may arise in the future. Ultimately, the feasibility and implications of a US-Canada economic union will require careful consideration and strategic planning to ensure that it benefits both countries.
