By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Following a dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, where the topic of Canada’s potential statehood was raised as a joke, President-elect Trump repeatedly reiterated the idea across various media platforms. This included social media posts referencing Canada as a state and Trudeau as “governor,” alongside a television interview where he incorrectly linked US trade deficits with “subsidies” justifying annexation. Trump’s assertions are based on fundamentally flawed understandings of trade deficits and subsidies. His continued public pronouncements on the matter, despite their factual inaccuracies, indicate a low likelihood of the issue ceasing to be a point of discussion.
Read the original article here
Donald Trump’s recent habit of referring to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “governor” is, at its core, a perplexing display of his misunderstanding of basic political structures and international relations. It’s not a nuanced geopolitical strategy; rather, it stems from a fundamental lack of comprehension, possibly even a deliberate attempt at belittling Trudeau. This isn’t about complex trade negotiations; it’s about a simple, almost childish, attempt at power projection.
The immediate, and most readily apparent, reason for this unconventional address is Trump’s long-standing desire to incorporate Canada into the United States, effectively making it the “51st state.” By calling Trudeau “governor,” he is subtly, yet aggressively, insinuating this ambition. It’s a rhetorical tactic designed to undermine Trudeau’s authority as Prime Minister and leader of a sovereign nation. This isn’t just a slip of the tongue; it’s a deliberate attempt to reshape the narrative and diminish Canada’s independent status in his mind and, perhaps, in the minds of his supporters.
Trump’s understanding of trade deficits is, to put it mildly, severely lacking. His mischaracterization of these deficits, coupled with his frequent use of tariffs as a tool of negotiation, has been a point of contention throughout his presidency. His confusion on this issue likely plays into his dismissal of Trudeau’s authority, as he sees himself, despite factual inaccuracies, as a more knowledgeable economic strategist. In his worldview, anyone who disagrees with him on matters of trade – or anything, really – is deemed incompetent or even an adversary. The “governor” label becomes a form of punishment for disagreeing with his trade policies or his broader vision of North American integration.
The “governor” designation also serves as a blatant attempt to diminish Trudeau on the international stage. He’s trying to undermine Trudeau’s status, portraying him as a lesser political figure, a regional leader rather than a head of state. This isn’t a subtle jab; it’s a deliberate attempt at humiliation, a public demonstration of Trump’s perceived dominance. This reflects a broader pattern of behavior where Trump employs insults and denigration as tools of political warfare.
Beyond the trade aspect, there is a strong element of personal animosity between the two leaders. Their differing approaches to international affairs and their often conflicting statements have fueled a tense relationship. Trump’s use of “governor” can be seen as a further escalation of this existing conflict, a move designed to provoke and diminish his counterpart.
Ultimately, Trump’s use of “governor” when addressing the Canadian Prime Minister isn’t born out of any intricate political strategy or complex understanding of trade relations. It’s a simplistic, yet effective, attempt at belittling Trudeau, fueled by a combination of inaccurate beliefs about trade, a desire for Canadian annexation, and personal animosity. It’s a rhetorical tactic that highlights Trump’s consistent use of disparagement as a tool of political and personal dominance. It reveals a disturbing lack of understanding of international relations and reinforces his preference for inflammatory language over constructive dialogue. The entire affair underscores his disregard for diplomatic decorum and his penchant for provoking conflict, even with long-standing allies.