President-elect Trump reiterated his proposal Monday for Canada to become the 51st U.S. state, just hours after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his plan to resign.

“Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st state. The United States can no longer tolerate the massive trade deficits and subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this and resigned,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“If Canada merged with the US, there would be no tariffs, taxes would drop significantly and it would be COMPLETELY SAFE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese ships that constantly surround it. Together this would be a great nation.” !!!” he added.

Sources told Fox News in December that Trump personally pitched the idea of ​​a merger to Trudeau when the pair met at Mar-a-Lago in late November.

CANADA’S TRUDEAU ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION AFTER PARTY PRESSURE CRITICISMS TRUMP AND THE BUDGET administrator

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with President-elect Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida in late November to discuss issues including the economy, illegal immigration and a proposed 25% tariff. (Justin Trudeau X)

Trudeau flew unannounced to Trump’s Florida residence this month after the president-elect threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products. Trump is warning of 25% tariffs against Canada and Mexico because both countries have failed to stem the flow of illegal immigrants and illegal drugs from those countries into the United States

“We discussed many important issues that require both countries’ cooperation to address, such as the fentanyl and drug crisis that has claimed so many lives through illegal immigration, fair trade deals that do not put American workers at risk, and the massive trade deficit.” the US has with Canada,” Trump wrote on Truth Social at the time.

Trudeau announced this morning that he was stepping down as prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

TRUMP plans to “immediately” reverse Biden’s “ridiculous” ban on new oil and gas drilling along the US coast

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to media outside Rideau Cottage on Monday, Jan. 6, in Ottawa. (AP/Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

“I intend to step down as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide competitive process,” Trudeau said in a speech Monday morning. “Last night I asked the president of the Liberal Party to start this process. This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and I have realized that if I have to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in this election.

Trudeau, who has ruled Canada for nearly a decade, has been struggling for months with significant declines in his approval ratings due to increasing frustration over issues such as the rising cost of living and rising inflation.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump delivers a speech during a campaign rally at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on October 15, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Canada. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

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The long-serving prime minister saw an increase in calls for his resignation – from at least seven Liberal MPs as well as opposition party leaders – following the sudden departure of his Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, who wrote a scathing resignation letter over Trudeau’s handling of certain economic policies as well as the threats made by Trump.

Fox News’ Michael Dorgan, Caitlin McFall and Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.