Trump’s Boldest Move Yet: Annexing Canada?

Weeks after getting elected, Trump floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51^st state during a dinner with Justin Trudeau. He called it an opportunity for economic justice and national security. Is it though? It could just be a calculated negotiation tactic he is using to redefine trade U.S. — Canada trade relations!

In this week’s issue, we try to break it all down and how it brings back historical tensions between these “closest of allies“.

THE STORY 🔍
Trump’s Canada Annexation Call: The Spark that Lit the Fire

• Trump initially proposed the idea of annexation during a Mar-a-Lago dinner with Prime Minister Trudeau, referring to him as “Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.”

• This remark was dismissed as a joke by Canadian officials.

• However, on January 6, 2025, following Trudeau’s resignation, Trump reignited the debate, claiming that annexation could end tariffs, reduce taxes, and strengthen national security.

• Framing it as an economic and geopolitical solution, Trump has brought this controversial idea back into the spotlight.

Historical Context: Annexation Dreams Through the Ages

The notion of annexing Canada is not new. It has roots in:

• The Revolutionary Era: The Articles of Confederation (1777) invited Quebec to join the Union.

• The War of 1812: U.S. leaders, including Thomas Jefferson, believed, the conquest of Canada was “a mere matter of marching“. The war ended with no changes in boundaries, but it gave rise to the idea of Canada as an independent country.

• 19th Century Movements: The Annexation Bill of 1866 proposed integrating Canadian provinces into the U.S., but it failed in Congress.

Trump’s remarks echo these historic ambitions, although in a vastly different political and cultural landscape.

Economic and Security Rationale

Trump’s arguments hinge on two pillars:

Economic Gains:

• He claims the U.S. “loses $200 billion annually” in protecting Canada and accuses Canada of unfair trade practices.

• Annexation, he argues, would eliminate tariffs, streamline trade, and reduce costs.

National Security:

• Trump frames Canada as a vulnerable outpost needing U.S. protection against Russia and China.

• Annexation would consolidate North American security, especially in the Arctic Circle.

What If Annexation Happened?

If Trump’s bold vision comes true, here’s what it could look like:

• Economic Integration: Canada’s reliance on U.S. trade (75% of exports) might deepen, but Canadian industries could face instability.

• Loss of Sovereignty: Canadian governance, economic autonomy, and cultural identity would be subsumed under U.S. frameworks.

• Geopolitical Shifts: Allies like the EU and NATO might reassess relationships with a merged U.S.-Canada entity.

Our Take

• This whole Canada annexation rhetoric may just be that - a rhetoric serving as a negotiation tactic.

• Trump’s call is consistent with his America-first ideology, but it’s unlikely to progress given a rare unified opposition by Canada’s political class and public.

• It does, however, highlight the possibility of more vulnerabilities in U.S.-Canada relations in the times to come.

COMMUNITY🤝

📊 Last Week’s Poll: What do you think is the biggest factor contributing to the rise of vehicle ramming terror attacks?

WORLD SPOTLIGHT 🌍

• An Israeli government commission warns that Israel must prepare for a potential war with Turkey, as a direct confrontation could arise from proxy conflicts. The commission submitted its findings to Prime Minister Netanyahu, assessing military readiness against emerging threats.

• An outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in parts of China is attracting international attention due to its recent surge among young people. Health officials have warned that HMPV is usually mild, though it can be serious for the elderly and young children.

NEWSWORTHY 🗞️

#1 — Thousands flee as wildfires burn out of control in and around Los Angeles and homes are destroyed 🚒

#2 — Trump refuses to rule out use of military force to take control of Greenland and the Panama Canal 🪖 

#3 — Meta is ending its fact-checking program in favor of a 'community notes' system similar to X 🤳 

PERSONAL UPDATES FROM GEN🎤

Not gonna lie, 2024 kicked my ass...

Sure, we hit some major W’s this year—500,000 subs (thanks to y’all), videos reaching millions of views, and getting to collab with some of the biggest names.

But what I haven’t shared is that this year came with a lot of ups and downs, personally and professionally. I'm afraid to admit it, but at one point, I almost quit the channel.

That’s why reflection is so important—without it, it’s too easy to get lost in the sauce. That's why every year, I create an annual report to reflect on both my personal life and the business.

This year’s report is different. Whether you’re a fan or even my competition, you can read all about my wins, mistakes, and exactly how I plan to move forward in 2025—from content strategy to revenue goals.

One big takeaway while writing this: I feel like I lost some of the soul I used to put into my videos this year, and I’m determined to get that back.

I’m telling y’all, it even helps my ADHD-ass to see the big picture.

If you’re curious, you can read the full report for FREE here: https://exploretheunfamiliar.notion.site/2024-GEN-Annual-Report-16f0677386c680a38e0fc8d95652e890

Let me know in the replies what some of your guys’ goals are!

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