Cabinet ministers say they must not overreact to Trump’s threats of annexation

Several federal cabinet ministers say Canada should not overreact to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s comments about annexing Canada — but should still take them seriously.

Trump has mused about making Canada the 51st state for several weeks. He amped up those comments Tuesday, saying he would make it happen through economic force.

He also says he will follow through with his plan to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canada and Mexico the day he is sworn back into office.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says Canada should not take Trump’s “bait” but should not back down in its efforts to counter the threats he is making.

“When president-elect Trump talks, we need to listen and we need to take him very seriously. I never take his threats lightly, but at the same time we can’t take the bait,” Joly said on her way into a Liberal caucus meeting.

“I think we’re extremely strong as a country. I think our economy is strong, I think our people are strong and I think we will never back down.”

Joly is one of the Liberal ministers considering a run for the party’s leadership. She says that, as she considers whether to throw her hat in, she’s weighing her responsibilities as foreign affairs minister and the need to confront Trump’s threats.

Trump continued his taunts Wednesday by posting a map of Canada and the United States, with the American flag superimposed over both countries. Trump captioned it, “Oh Canada.”

Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc ruled himself out of the running completely Wednesday, saying that responding to the 25 per cent tariff threat requires his full attention.

“I will be solely focused on the real economic threat that American tariffs represent to the Canadian economy and to Canadian workers. It’s a full-time job and I’m lucky to have it,” LeBlanc said. 

Public Safety Minister David McGuinty says his focus is on ensuring the border is secure and reminding Americans of how connected the two countries are.

“There’s lots of rhetoric, lots of talk, there’s lots of newscasting and there’s lots of colour commentary going on right now. Our government, the government of Canada, is focused on implementing measures that will help us and I think that’s where we’re making progress,” McGuinty said.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller repeated an earlier comment comparing Trump’s rhetoric to an episode of the animated comedy South Park. He says he’ll only start to worry if Trump appoints Eric Cartman, a foul-mouthed 10-year-old from the show, to the joint chiefs of staff.

Despite the joke, Miller said that Trump must be taken seriously. 

“It’s silly, it’s unbecoming of a president to say that, but we do have to take it seriously and we will continue to do that,” he said.

Miller is not seeking the Liberal leadership. He commended LeBlanc’s decision not to enter the race, saying he’s putting the country first.

“(LeBlanc’s) decision to stay on is an intellectually sound one, it’s an important one to keep stability in the country in a time where thousands of jobs could be at risk if Mr. Trump goes through on the imposition of tariffs. That will be our number one focus,” Miller said. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet with the premiers next Wednesday to talk about the looming tariff threat, just days before Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Anthony Furey said Wednesday that Trump has a history of making comments that start off as jokes but become policy.

“This is a strong and sovereign country, and it will always be a strong and sovereign country,” Furey said. “To have, unfortunately, our best friend … threaten our sovereignty is completely unacceptable.”