Fact check: Nine false statements from Trump about Canada

Fact check: Nine false statements from Trump about Canada

in Washington, President Donald Trump repeatedly expressed that he wishes to make Canada the 51st state of the United States. In order to support his position, he has made numerous false claims about Canada.

false claims from Trump via Canada

in 2025 Trump spread incorrect information several times, including:

• he wrongly claimed that the Canadian public supported the idea of becoming the 51st state, even though it is overwhelming against it.
• He said that the US trade deficit with Canada was "$ 200 billion", which is far from the truth.
• He claimed that Canada was one of the countries with the highest tariffs worldwide, although it is actually low in the global rankings.
• He said Canada had increased his milk tariffs during the bid administration, although they have not changed since Trump's first term.
• He wrongly said that Canada generally does not accept US farm exports, although Canada is the second largest buyer of this exports worldwide.
• He claimed Canada forbid US banks, while more than a dozen US banks are working in Canada today.
• he ignored that Canada was "constantly surrounded" by Chinese and Russian ships, which is completely invented.
• He claimed that outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used the current customs dispute to run again as a prime minister, although Trudeau clearly did not compete.
• He said Canada spent less than 1 % of the gross domestic product for defense, while NATO statistics show that it was an estimated 1.37 % in the previous year.

review of the wrong statements

Here are some facts about Trump's wrong claims:

The opinion of the Canadians on Annexion

Trump incorrectly claimed that the Canadian population supported the idea of joining the United States. However, several surveys show that this idea is extremely unpopular in Canada - a recently carried out survey showed 85 % rejection and only 9 % approval.

The US trade deficit with Canada

Trump repeated his wrong statement about a trade deficit of "$ 200 billion". Actual US statistics show that the deficit in 2024 was $ 35.7 billion. Even if only the goods are considered, the deficit was $ 70.6 billion.

The tariffs of Canada

Trump incorrectly claimed on social media that Canada was one of the highest customs nations in the world. In reality, Canada has low tariffs in international comparison and is in 102 out of 137 countries in 2022.

milk tariffs in Canada

Trump claimed that Canada had "well under control" his milk tariffs during his first term, but only increased under bidges. In reality, the tariffs were not increased and remained by the US Mexico-Canada Agreement, which he signed in 2018.

Canada's import of US agricultural products

Trump falsely said that Canada does not buy US agricultural products. According to the US Department of Agriculture, however, Canada was the second largest buyer of US agricultural exports with a value of around $ 28.4 billion.

US banks and Canada

Trump made false information that Canada prohibits US banks. In fact, US banks have been working in Canada for over a century, and there are currently 16 US banks with branches in Canada.

Russian and Chinese ships around Canada

Trump claimed that Canada was "constantly surrounded" by Russian and Chinese ships. This claim is wrong, and Canada was never surrounded by such ships.

Trudeau and the trade war

Trump expressed the wrong assumption that Trudeau used the customs problem to run again, although Trudeau had announced not to start.

Canada's defense spending

Trump mistakenly claimed that Canada spends less than 1 % of GDP for defense. Actual NATO numbers show that Canada 2024 spent about 1.37 % of GDP for defense.