It’s not clear if Canada wants to become a U.S. state, though technically it would be possible without its buy-in

President Trump said Thursday that Canada is a “serious contender” to become the 51st state, alleging that America’s neighbor to the north needs US “protection.” Trump, 78, has repeatedly floated the idea of Canada joining the Union — even mockingly referring to outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “governor” — and revisited the topic while signing a memorandum ordering reciprocal tariffs on countries around the world.