Canada becoming US 51st state would be great idea - Trump

The United States, US, President-elect, Donald Trump has said Canada could become the 51st US state.

Trump said "many Canadians" welcome the idea because Ottawa is wracked by a political crisis.

Posting on his Truth Social handle on Wednesday, Trump said Canada would save massively from tax and military protection.

He wrote:

"Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State.

"They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st State."

In November, the US President-elect suggested that merging the two nations would not only resolve his concerns about fentanyl trafficking, over which he has threatened a 25-percent tariff on Canadian goods, but could also stem illegal immigration - a problem concentrated on the US southern border.

Trump made the suggestion to the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau at a dinner at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.