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,” Report informs via The Telegraph.

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

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

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. Greer and 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 Navarro include expelling Canada from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network, the most important intelligence-sharing network in the world.

Navarro, whose close relationship with 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.

Trump has repeatedly said Canada should become the 51st US state. Justin Trudeau, nicknamed Governor Trudeau by 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.