15.03.2025 08:21
U.S. President Trump, who said "the annexation of Greenland will take place," has now set his sights on Canada, the second largest country in the world after Russia. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded to questions regarding Trump's proposal to annex Canada. Defending Trump's statements, Rubio said, "Trump indicated that, from an economic perspective, it would be better for Canada to join the U.S."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio answered questions from reporters following the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Canada.
Here, Rubio provided information on the status of discussions regarding a ceasefire in Ukraine, stating that U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Representative Steve Witkoff had met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and was on his way back to the U.S. Rubio said, "He needs to return, and I hope we will gather this weekend. We will closely examine Russia's stance, and then the President will determine the next steps to be taken."
Expressing that there are reasons for cautious optimism, Rubio stated, "We feel that we have taken a few more steps toward ending this war and achieving peace, but this is a long journey. It is a journey made up of many steps. Still, I believe we have gained positive momentum. Of course, we will see what Russia and others are willing to do," he said.
THE EU WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE PROCESS
Emphasizing that the first phase of negotiations is a ceasefire and that only after this can they move to the negotiation table, Rubio said, "The European Union has imposed serious sanctions on Russia and certain individuals in Russia. Therefore, they will need to be included in this process."
However, before moving to this stage, Rubio stressed that the first phase must be completed and a ceasefire must be achieved, stating, "We believe it is very difficult to negotiate for lasting peace and negotiations in the midst of an ongoing war. Therefore, we must first try to reduce the conflict so that it is possible to move to the second phase of the process."
"SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA WERE DISCUSSED"
When asked whether a decision had been made regarding sanctions to be imposed on Russia if it does not accept the ceasefire proposal, Rubio replied, "The Europeans have their own sanctions packages and there are new sanctions they want to implement. Of course, the U.S. is not an EU member and does not have a vote within the EU. Therefore, we cannot determine the decisions that the EU will make. They asked for our opinion, and we provided it. However, no decision has been made on this issue. But this topic was discussed," he said.
Addressing the sanctions that the U.S. would impose in such a situation, Rubio stated, "The President said twice in the last week that the U.S. has options, but he does not want to activate them at this time. He indicated that he hopes to draw the parties into a peace negotiation process. For now, there is nothing more to add on this matter."
"PRESIDENT TRUMP IS SERIOUS ABOUT CANADA"
When asked by reporters about discussions regarding Canada being the 51st state of the U.S., Rubio responded to a question about whether President Trump is serious in his statements by saying, "Yes, serious."
Rubio stated, "The Canadian government has clearly expressed what they think about this. President Trump has indicated that, from an economic perspective, it would be better for Canada to join the U.S. The President's position and the Canadian government's position are not the same. This cannot be said to be a secret," he said.
Rubio expressed that the U.S. aims to protect its producers by zeroing out its customs duties and that this is not a result of hostility towards any country, emphasizing that the background of discussions about Canada becoming the 51st state lies here.
Rubio said, "The President was in a meeting with Trudeau, and during this meeting, Trudeau said, 'If the U.S. imposes tariffs on Canada, Canada cannot survive as a nation-state.' To this, the President replied, 'Then you should be a state.' This is where all this issue originated. Nevertheless, the President has repeatedly expressed his love for Canada. He believes that, from an economic and other perspectives, it would be better for Canada to join the U.S.," he said.
"THERE IS NO PLANNED TRUMP-XI MEETING"
When asked about the possibility of a meeting between U.S. President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Rubio said, "The President will meet with him at some point; this meeting will happen. I don't know when it will be. I don't think there is such a plan right now."
Rubio stated, "They are the leaders of two large, important, and powerful countries. Whether they agree or not, they need to communicate for the security and prosperity of the world," he said.
Reaction from Canada's new Prime Minister Carney to Rubio
REACTION FROM CANADA'S NEW PRIME MINISTER CARNEY TO RUBIO
On the other hand, Canada's new Prime Minister Mark Carney responded to U.S. Secretary of State Rubio's "51st State" remarks made on Canadian soil in his first statement to the press after taking the oath of office.
Carney, who claimed that Rubio's statements were "crazy," said, "We will never, in any way or form, be a part of the U.S."