Trump Stirs Conflict with Canada Through Mockery and Pressure
Dual Citizenship of Musk Draws Fire Amid Tensions
"Now Part of a Foreign Government Seeking to Eliminate Canadian Sovereignty"
There are growing calls in Canada to revoke the Canadian citizenship of Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump. This backlash comes amid Trump's recent incendiary remarks toward the allied country, including telling Canada to "become the 51st state of the United States," and his continued tariff pressures. Musk serves as the head of the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, and Donald Trump, President of the United States. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News.
On the 26th, major U.S. media outlets such as The New York Times (NYT) reported that as of the 25th (local time), the number of petitioners on the Canadian Parliament's petition site demanding "the cancellation of Musk's Canadian citizenship" has surpassed 250,000. The petition, introduced on the 20th by Charlie Angus, a member of the New Democratic Party of Canada, reportedly states that "Elon Musk has engaged in activities against Canada's national interests and has now become part of a foreign government seeking to eliminate Canadian sovereignty."
Musk, considered a key supporter of President Trump's re-election, holds dual citizenship in the United States and Canada. Originally from South Africa, he acquired Canadian citizenship through his Canadian-born mother and later obtained U.S. citizenship. However, he has openly echoed Trump's provocative remarks toward Canada.
Previously, before his inauguration, President Trump told Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who visited Mar-a-Lago, that "Canada should become the 51st state of the United States to avoid U.S. tariffs." Recently, he mocked Trudeau by saying, "If Trudeau wants to attend the U.S. Governors' Conference, he is more than welcome." Additionally, citing insufficient cooperation from Canada and Mexico in blocking illegal immigration and drugs, Trump attempted to impose a 25% tariff starting from the 4th, but postponed it for a month after both countries showed willingness to negotiate.
Canada is scheduled to hold a general election in October this year, and Musk has shown support for Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party, as the next Canadian leader, disregarding Prime Minister Trudeau. Facing external pressure and internal backlash, Trudeau announced on the 6th of last month that "once the ruling Liberal Party selects a successor, I will step down as party leader and prime minister."
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