Canadian businessman and television personality Kevin O’Leary suggested on Thursday that the United States and Canada could benefit from eliminating the border between them, creating a unified economic and security partnership.
BREAKING: Kevin O’Leary says he will go to Mar-a-Lago to ‘start the narrative’ about merging Canada with the United States because, “We don’t want Trudeau negotiating this deal.”
“Think about the power of combining the two economies,” O’Leary said.
– Common currency
– Open… pic.twitter.com/1QCzR2ZmpU— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) December 27, 2024
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O’Leary’s remarks, made during an appearance on Fox Business’ The Big Money Show, echoed sentiments expressed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who recently proposed the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state of the United States.
O’Leary highlighted the potential advantages of uniting the two nations, citing Canada’s vast natural resources and the combined economic power such a union could generate.
“There’s 41 million Canadians, basically the population of California, sitting on the world’s largest amounts of all resources, including the most important, energy and water,” O’Leary said.
“Canadians over the holidays the last two days have been talking about this. They want to hear more.”
He suggested that eliminating the border between the two countries could pave the way for a robust economic union and enhance security against geopolitical threats from nations like China and Russia.
“What this could be is the beginning of an economic union,” O’Leary continued.
“Think about the power of combining the two economies, erasing the border between Canada and the United States, and putting all that resource up to the northern borders where China and Russia are knocking on the door.”
President-elect Trump expressed a similar sentiment in a Christmas Day post on Truth Social, proposing that Canada become the United States’ 51st state.
He argued that the move would boost Canada’s economy while providing greater military security.
Trump’s suggestion followed a November warning to Canada and Mexico, threatening a 25% tariff on imports unless the two countries took stronger measures to address illegal immigration and drug trafficking into the U.S.
Donald Trump, 13 years ago, told the whole world exactly how he planned to use tariffs when president. pic.twitter.com/bMqsv4xEkp
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) November 27, 2024
Canada responded by enhancing its border security measures, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau later met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence to discuss the issue.
O’Leary expressed skepticism about Trudeau’s ability to negotiate any potential deal between the two countries, calling Canada’s current government ineffective.
“The problem is the government’s collapsing in Canada right now,” O’Leary said. “Nobody wants [Canadian Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau to negotiate this deal. I don’t want him doing it for me.”
He added that he would take the initiative himself to advocate for the idea, stating, “So I’m going to go to Mar-a-Lago. I’ll start the narrative. The 41 million Canadians, I think most of them would trust me on this deal.”
O’Leary also suggested that a U.S.-Canada economic union could include a common currency, streamlined taxation, and enhanced trade agreements.
He compared the concept to the European Union, envisioning a unified passport and increased economic integration between the two countries.
NEW: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary, a Canadian, says he likes the idea of combining the US and Canadian economies, says he is heading to Mar-a-Lago to start the talks.
O’Leary said half of Canadians are interested in Trump’s proposal.
“[Canadians] want to hear more… what this… pic.twitter.com/ss2sjIADBC
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 26, 2024
While the idea of eliminating the U.S.-Canada border or merging the nations may seem far-fetched to some, it has sparked discussions on both sides of the border about the potential benefits and challenges of closer economic and security ties.
With Trudeau’s government facing political challenges and Trump set to take office in 2025, the discussions surrounding U.S.-Canada relations could gain traction in the coming months.
O’Leary’s proposal and Trump’s suggestion have opened the door to what could become a larger debate about the future of North American economic and security policies.
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