Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

LetMyPeopleVote

(155,514 posts)
Tue Dec 10, 2024, 05:41 PM Dec 10

Why Trump is suddenly calling Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'governor'

Why would Donald Trump call the Canadian leader "governor"? It all stems from his confusion about what a trade deficit is.
https://bsky.app/profile/stevebenen.com/post/3lcxov63az222

Why would Trump deliberately call the Canadian prime minister "governor"?

It stems from the fact that the president-elect still doesn't quite understand what a trade deficit is.



https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-suddenly-calling-canadian-prime-minister-justin-trudeau-governor-rcna183582

It started with an odd attempt at humor. A couple of weeks ago, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau traveled to Mar-a-Lago to have dinner with Donald Trump, and while dining, the president-elect apparently suggested that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state.

Canadian officials soon after confirmed that the Republican did, in fact, make the comments, but they assured the public that Trump was merely joking......

It was against this backdrop that the Republican sat down with NBC News’ Kristen Welker and continued to lean into the idea during a “Meet the Press” appearance. Trump claimed:

We’re subsidizing Canada to the tune over $100 billion a year. We’re subsidizing Mexico for almost $300 billion. We shouldn’t be — why are we subsidizing these countries? If we’re going to subsidize them, let them become a state.”


The day after the interview aired, the president-elect published yet another related item to his online platform, which referred to Trudeau as “governor.” Lest anyone think he simply mistyped, Trump called the Canadian prime minister “governor” twice in the same missive......

First, Trump is under the impression that the United States has a $100 billion annual trade deficit with Canada and an “almost” $300 billion annual trade deficit with Mexico. Those numbers are wildly exaggerated, as he really ought to know.

Second, Trump apparently believes that if the United States has a trade deficit with a country, it necessarily means that we’re “subsidizing” that country. The problem, of course, is that the Republican has never really bothered to learn what a trade deficit is, and his claim is largely gibberish.

Third, Trump also apparently believes that countries that benefit from U.S. subsidies should become states. That’s not how subsidies work, either.

Given all of this, common sense suggests Trump really ought to stop commenting on Canada and statehood, but given everything we know about the president-elect, this seems unlikely.


13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

rampartd

(865 posts)
7. i'd prefer that canada accept louisiana , or at least my parish, as a province. n/t
Tue Dec 10, 2024, 06:03 PM
Dec 10

but canada would probably get 145 (i think hartmann figured that out) congressman but only 2 senators.

a more likely (and still laughable) solution would be several new states including newfoundland and british columbia.

kerry-is-my-prez

(9,409 posts)
4. A trial balloon, perhaps? Trump thinks he's Putin and can take over Canada and Mexico.
Tue Dec 10, 2024, 05:56 PM
Dec 10

The crazy people he is putting in will probably go along with it.

magicarpet

(16,955 posts)
6. TrDUMP says,...
Tue Dec 10, 2024, 05:58 PM
Dec 10

We should give Alaska back to Russia. It is simply too far north for our country to effectively deal with.

GoCubsGo

(33,158 posts)
8. In other words...
Tue Dec 10, 2024, 06:03 PM
Dec 10

HE IS A FUCKING IMBECILE. That's on top of being demented. But, all y'all knew that already...

ColinC

(10,941 posts)
11. Worth pointing out that NATO without the US is likely more powerful than the US by itself
Tue Dec 10, 2024, 06:13 PM
Dec 10

At this point.

And it goes without saying that attacking a NATO country would officially forfeit our membership from the alliance.

Irish_Dem

(59,689 posts)
12. Trump is doing this to humiliate and threaten Trudeau.
Tue Dec 10, 2024, 06:40 PM
Dec 10

Trudeau came crawling to MAL to kiss his ring.
Trump loves the fawning, but doesn't respect it.
He considers Trudeau a loser and sucker.

Also Trump's pals, Putin and Xi threaten to take over their parts of the world.
Trump is following suit.

Initech

(102,511 posts)
13. Seriously, who's feeding him this bullshit? Time to find out.
Tue Dec 10, 2024, 09:32 PM
Dec 10

4chan, I'm looking in your direction...

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Why Trump is suddenly cal...