White House official threatens to redraw Canadian border

A top White House official has threatened to redraw the Canadian border amid Donald Trump’s ambition to turn the country in America’s “51st state”.

Peter Navarro, one of Donald Trump’s closest advisers, is pushing US negotiators to discuss reworking the border with their Canadian counterparts, The Telegraph can reveal.

“Navarro recommended revising the Canada-US border, which is just crazy and dangerous,” a source close to negotiations told The Telegraph.

Canada has now instructed its delegates to withdraw from negotiations with the US until Jameson Greer and Howard Lutnick, two incoming members of Mr Trump’s cabinet, are confirmed by the senate. Mr Greer and Mr Lutnick are viewed by Ontario as being less extreme.

“The Canadians have told their people to hold off negotiating with the US Government until Jameson Greer and Howard Lutnick are confirmed by the Senate and in post,” the source said.

Proposals also put forward by Mr Navarro include expelling Canada from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network, the most important intelligence-sharing network in the world.

Mr Navarro, whose close relationship with Mr Trump has afforded him ease of access to the Oval Office, is “ruling the roost”, insiders say, with some staffers left feeling unable to challenge him.

“Peter Navarro is in post, and he is taking advantage of being there by himself with no one else in post to challenge his extreme positions. This will change as soon as the many other trade and economic positions are filled,” the source added.

“By default of no competition, he is temporarily ruling the roost.” the source added.

Mr Trump has repeatedly said Canada should become the 51st US state. Justin Trudeau, nicknamed Governor Trudeau by Mr Trump, has said his country would never join America.

The Canadian Prime Minister was recently caught on open mic warning that Mr Trump’s sustained annexation calls may appear to be “a real thing” having initially shrugged off the proposition as a joke.

Speaking at the first cabinet meeting of his presidency, the president doubled down on his plans to make Canada America’s 51st state.

“We protect Canada, but it’s not fair. It’s not fair that they’re not paying their way, and if they had to pay their way they couldn’t exist,” he told reporters.

Earlier this week, Mr Trump vowed to proceed with planned 25 per cent tariffs on Canada, which had been paused for 30 days after Mr Trudeau agreed to take action against illegal migration and drug trafficking into the US.

Canada agreed to reinforce the northern border with “new choppers, technology and personnel”.

However, Mr Trump is now seeking control of the Keystone XL Pipeline, the $9bn pipeline that would bring 830,000 barrels per day of oil from Canada’s Western tar sands to US refiners.

First proposed in 2008, the pipeline was pulled after former president Joe Biden revoked a key permit needed for a US stretch of the project.

Mr Trudeau, who has previously promoted the oil conduit between his country and the US, said he had given up on the project.

But the president wants to revive the project, promising “easy approvals” to ensure oil would flow to the US.

“The company building the Keystone XL Pipeline that was viciously jettisoned by the incompetent Biden Administration should come back to America, and get it built – NOW!” Mr Trump said in a post on his social media network.

“If not them, perhaps another Pipeline Company,” Mr Trump added. “We want the Keystone XL Pipeline built!”

The pipeline was a major flashpoint between the US and Canada as it represented a clash between economic interests, environmental concerns and political promises.

As part of Canada’s immediate response to Mr Trump’s tariffs, Canada levied 25pc tariffs against $155bn worth of American goods – including alcohol, furniture and orange juice – and even suggested Canadians should not holiday in the US.

“We don’t want to be here. We didn’t ask for this. But we will not back down,” said Mr Trudeau.

“We’re certainly not looking to escalate but we will stand up for Canada.”

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

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