Why Donald Trump Is Obsessed with Canada

51st State? What Does President Trump Want From Canada? After months of an acrimonious war of words between the United States and Canada, President Trump and new Prime Minister Mark Carney met in the Oval Office for the first time.

While Trump’s US tariffs on Canadian goods and the “51st state” talk have shadowed the meeting, it was a friendly meeting, which was not a surprise.

What Does Trump Want from Canada?

Carney came out of the first meeting feeling more confident about Canada’s relationship with the US.

“It was a very constructive meeting,” he said. “I feel better about the relations in… many respects.”

Carney added that he and President Trump discussed a number of global issues and found they had “common concerns” on many of them, “which is a sign of a healthier relationship.”

But why does the President keep repeating that he wants Canada to be part of the United States?

51st State Issue Was Danced Around, While It Wasn’t Discussed

Trump stressed that the two would not discuss the “51st state” issue, although he insists he’d like to see Canada become part of the US. “Takes two to tango, right?” Trump said.

Carney quipped, “As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale. We’re sitting in one right now,” Carney told Trump. “Having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign, last several months, it’s not for sale. Won’t be for sale, ever,” he said.

Trump answered that with, “Never say never.”

Trump-Carney Tone Much Less Antagonistic

During the press conference between the two, Trump praised Carney, a distinct change from his feelings toward former Prime Minister Trudeau, whom he didn’t like.

The President praised Carney as “a very talented person” and commended the prime minister on his victory in Canada’s elections.

“He won a very big election in Canada. And I think I was probably the greatest thing that happened to him, but I can’t take full credit,” Trump quipped. “His party was losing by a lot, and he ended up winning.”

Carney’s Liberal Party won Canada’s federal elections last week—Trump’s constant talk of targeting the longtime ally and making it a state heavily influenced the race. Carney ran on a platform of opposing Trump.

What Does President Trump Want From Canada?

The big question is whether the 51st state talk is real. Why would the US, which has had the closest diplomatic, military, economic, and cultural ties with its northern neighbor for more than a century, put all that at risk?

With the US not canceling but reducing its NATO footprint in Europe and elsewhere, Trump has said since his first administration that the Europeans have to address their security issues more than they have. The US has driven itself deep into debt in the past 80 years since the end of World War II.

However, the change in philosophy centers around the US, establishing choke points that could threaten its hegemony in the hemisphere. The US is trying to strengthen its territorial core by protecting its interests with the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans as large buffers. That is why Canada, the Panama Canal, and Greenland figure so prominently in the President’s comments.

The Panama Canal, built by the US in the early twentieth century, vastly shortens the travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

The Arctic Is the Next Contested Area of the World

Greenland is located to the northeast of Canada. The largest island in the world, it is about 836,000 square miles, about the size of Sweden, and much of it is covered by the Greenland Ice Sheet. With the polar ice caps receding, it is now a northern trade route, shorter than the southern trade route that travels through the Suez Canal and links Europe and Asian trade.

However, the Russian and Chinese military have also considered it a strategic waypoint. That’s why the US has had bases there since World War II. Greenland and Canada are also rich in rare earth minerals.

Currently, the demand for these minerals, of which China controls about 70 percent, far outstrips supply, keeping their costs high.

The strategic implications of each of these areas are important to the US, which is why President Trump keeps referring to each as vital to US security.

About the Author:

Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications