Canadian leader makes 'counter-offer' to Trump: 'How about if we buy Alaska?’

Ontario Premier Doug Ford retaliated to Donald Trump's threat. (Image: Reuters)

After US President-elect Donald Trump proposed to make Canada the 51st American state, a senior Canadian official countered the proposal and offered to purchase Alaska instead.

On Wednesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford reacted to Trump's proposal. At a press conference, he was asked if he thought Trump was serious about the US taking control of Canada. To this, Ford said, "To the president, I'll make him a counteroffer. How about if we buy Alaska? And we'll throw in Minnesota and Minneapolis at the same time?"

In the recent week, Donald Trump has repeatedly needled Canada about it becoming the 51st US state. He has also threatened to use "economic force" to absorb Canada into the US.

"You know, it's not realistic. I know he likes making these comments and he likes joking around - I take that seriously," the premier continued. "He may be joking, but under my watch, that will never, ever happen," Ford added, according to the New York Post.

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The same leader last December had threatened to cut energy supplies over Trump’s threat to impose tariffs.

Trump first mentioned the possibility of taking over Canada before Justin Trudeau's resignation. This week, he reignited the issue with a post on Truth Social as Trudeau announced that he is stepping down.

"Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State. The United States can no longer suffer the massive Trade Deficits and Subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this, and resigned. If Canada merged with the U.S., there would be 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. Together, what a great Nation it would be," the US president-elect posted on Truth Social.

When asked if he would use military force to bring Canada to heel, the incoming president said, "No, economic force". Promising to "turn the economy around very quickly," Trump said, "We're approaching the dawn of America's golden age."

Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also hit back at Donald Trump's threat to use "economic force" to absorb Canada into the US saying there isn't "a snowball's chance in hell" to join the two.