Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today that what US President Donald Trump said about taking over Canada "is real" and is related to the country's rich natural resources, the "Toronto Star" and Reuters reported.
Trudeau made the comments during a closed-door meeting of business and labor leaders on how best to respond to Trump's threats to impose tariffs on Canadian imports. His comments were mistakenly broadcast over a loudspeaker, the newspaper said.
Trump has repeatedly said that Canada would be better off if it agreed to become the 51st state of the United States.
“They are very aware of our resources, what we have, and they very much want to be able to take advantage of them,“ the newspaper quoted Trudeau as saying. “Mr. Trump means that one of the easiest ways to do that is to swallow our country. And that's a real thing."
Trudeau's office did not respond to a request for comment.
Canada, which has been trying to counter the U.S. measures, has stressed that it is a reliable partner and a major supplier of oil, minerals and other natural resources.
Trudeau previously told reporters that Canada could face long-term political challenges with the United States even if it manages to avert Trump's threat of tariffs.
On Monday, Trump said he would delay imposing tariffs on Canadian exports for 30 days in exchange for action on border control and crime, particularly on combating fentanyl smuggling.