Van Jones on Trump pitching Canada as 51st state: 'That would be a huge blue state'
CNN political commentator Van Jones weighed in on President-elect Trump’s idea of pitching Canada to become the 51st state, claiming that if it happens, America’s northern neighbor would be a “huge blue state.”
"I don’t understand why anybody is mad at Trump about this," the pundit said Monday on CNN's "NewsNight."
"If Trump — I’m serious. If Trump wants for Canada to become the 51st [state], that would be a huge blue state,” he told the panel.
Conservative commentator Scott Jennings seemingly agreed with him, saying he would retract his “previous statement” on the topic.
"Exactly. Like, I don't think that Trump has thought this through," Jones, who previously served as an adivsor to former President Obama, continued. "First of all, it would be wonderful to have a massive blue state."
“They have an amazing healthcare system," he added. "It would be wonderful for us to — listen, if he — if Canada wants to come here and rescue us, I am more than happy."
The discussion of the topic came just hours after Trump proposed the idea of merging the U.S. and Canada into one nation shortly after the country’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation, a post he has held for nine years. If it were to happen hypothetically, tariffs between the two North American countries would be slashed, according to the president-elect.
“If Canada merged with the U.S., there would no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them,” Trump said Monday on Truth Social. “Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!”
Trump threatened Canada with a tariff hike last year, saying he would slap a 25 percent tariff on goods imported from the country if it does not bolster border security and curb the influx of fentanyl coming into the U.S. from the northern border. Trudeau said the tariffs would complicate cooperation between the two nations.
The president-elect has also trolled Trudeau following their late November meeting at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, calling the Liberal Party leader the “governor” of Canada.
Canada is set to have a general election later this year.