Recently, discussions about the possibility of the United States annexing Canada have sparked significant attention. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly brought up the topic, but commentator Stephen Marche has raised a deeper question: Does America even have the capability to achieve this goal? In his view, the U.S. might collapse internally before it can complete any expansion plans.
America’s “Expansionism” and Internal Collapse
In an interview with CTV’s Your Morning, Marche explained that annexing a country is a major decision at the state level, and the current state of affairs in America cannot support such an ambition. He said, “If someone were trying to annex Greenland, Canada, the Panama Canal, and the Gaza Strip, the first step probably wouldn’t be disbanding the CIA.”
The opening weeks of Trump’s second term have been marked by bold, expansionist threats abroad and aggressive cuts to federal government institutions at home. His rhetoric about “expanding the American empire” shows an attempt to exert pressure externally, but simultaneously weakens the internal strength of the United States. Marche commented, “He may really want these things, but he’s certainly not doing anything to strengthen America’s power.”
Expansion Dreams: Trump’s “True Intentions”
Since taking office, Trump has not only refused to rule out a military takeover of the Panama Canal but has also reiterated his desire to purchase Greenland, stating he wants to “own” the Gaza Strip and transform it into a real estate project. The idea of incorporating Canada into the U.S. first emerged during a diplomatic visit between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. As the U.S.-Canada trade war has escalated, Trump has frequently made similar remarks on social media.
For Canadian leaders, these comments from Trump initially may have seemed like mere “offhand remarks” or “jokes,” but over time, they have grown into something that feels “worrisome” and even “possibly sincere.” Trudeau recently referred to the “51st state” threat as a “real thing,” although he and members of his cabinet have repeatedly stressed that such an outcome is unlikely.
Marche believes that while Trump’s rhetoric may seem absurd, it reflects some deeper complexities in his mindset. He described it as “insane rhetoric.” He further noted that what Trump truly seeks is likely just a great deal of attention and praise, rather than actual political ambition.
America’s Domestic and International Struggles
Trump’s domestic policy has been primarily focused on “cutting back” rather than “expanding.” The White House has attempted to offer buyouts to thousands of federal workers to reduce the public service, and at one point, froze nearly all federal grants, loans, and aid until judicial intervention restored the flow of funding. Trump himself has also stated plans to shut down the U.S. Department of Education, further pushing for a small government.
Marche commented on this: “What we’re dealing with is something that has no consistency, no internal logic, and is collapsing under the weight of its own madness. It’s doing things like destroying its own scientific community and education system.”
He believes that this situation presents the real risk to Canada. Facing U.S. instability, Canada should focus on strengthening its domestic economic cooperation, particularly enhancing business flow between provinces, while seeking new international trade partners to ensure its security and independence.
Canada’s Future: How to Handle America’s Uncertainty?
In light of the current turmoil in the U.S., Marche urges Canada to focus on bolstering its domestic economic resilience and reduce its over-reliance on the U.S. market. He emphasized, “Whatever happens in the U.S., we need to ensure our security and independence. This is our top priority, and all other priorities should be put aside.”
As the internal and external situation in the U.S. continues to evolve, Canada will likely need more flexible diplomatic strategies and robust economic development plans to address the uncertainties from its southern neighbor.
With files from CTV News’ Stephanie Ha and Ryan White, Reuters, The Canadian Press and The Associated Press
