Trump pitched annexing Canada with author of royal family book

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney looks on before making an announcement at the new and currently under construction Embleton Community Centre and Park, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, April 7, 2026. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio

For many years, the United States and Canada — a fellow member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) — enjoyed a very close relationship. But U.S./Canada relations became strained when U.S. President Donald Trump called for Canada to become "the 51st state" and threatened the country with steep tariffs. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney remains adamant in saying that Canada has no desire to become part of the United States.

According to author Robert Hardman, Trump raised the possibility of annexing Canada when he was writing his new book on Britain's royal family, "Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story."

CTV News' Afua Hagan, in an article published on April 9, explains, "Hardman and Trump met in Florida in December 2025 where they discussed the United States place in NATO as well as Trump's thoughts on Canada. 'I replied that this would probably destroy NATO and, while we were on the subject, could he please leave Canada alone too,' Hardman wrote."

Hardman also wrote, "This was the closest I had heard to an acknowledgement that, as long as Canada had the king, Mr. Trump was not going to usurp him. There could be no doubting the esteem in which the late queen was held by Mr. Trump. He had also voiced the highest praise for her son and heir, who appeared to be the primary reason why he was no longer saber-rattling at Canada."

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