Hot Mic Captures Justin Trudeau Warn Of Trump 'Absorbing' Canada: The 'Real' Deal

The Canadian prime minister reportedly thought the media left the room when he weighed in on the U.S. president's threats.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday told business and labor leaders that Donald Trump’s annexation proposal is the “real” deal as the American president has threatened to make the neighboring country the 51st U.S. state, according to remarks caught on a hot mic.

“They’re very aware of our resources, of what we have and they very much want to be able to benefit from those,” said Trudeau, whose comments on U.S. interest in Canada’s critical minerals were captured when he thought the media “left” the room, per CNN’s Paula Newton.

He continued, “But Mr. Trump has it in mind that one of the easiest ways of doing that is absorbing our country. And it is a real thing.”

Trudeau’s comments come after Trump threatened to hit America’s northern neighbor with 25% tariffs, a move that sparked counter-tariffs from both Canadian officials and leaders in Mexico — which was also subjected to U.S. president’s threats.

Trump would later step back from the threats, delaying tariffs by 30 days in both Canada and Mexico after both countries signed onto furthering efforts in law and border enforcement.