U.S. as the 11th province could be 'the best thing': Shatner jokingly makes a counter-offer to Trump
Canadian actor and comedian William Shatner had a counter-offer to President Donald Trump's suggestion of turning Canada into the 51st state.
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Shatner spoke to host Jesse Watters on Fox News after Prime Minister Mark Carney met with the American leader at the White House on Tuesday. In the interview, Shatner joked about what he thought could be a good solution for Carney to turn the tables on Trump.
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'I've dealt a little in real estate and I'm going to say to Carney, 'Do a real estate deal. Make a counter offer.' Let's offer … to the United States to be the 11th province,' he said. 'Think of the joy… It's the best thing.'
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Tensions between Canada and the United States have been heightened since Trump took office. This is largely due to the president's rhetoric about making Canada the 51st state, as well as an ongoing trade war and stricter travel policies. Canadians have been resolute in trying to buy local goods and have even been opting to travel within in the country, rather than vacationing in the U.S.
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Shatner said that everyone was acting 'so serious about what is an unserious offer' from Trump.
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He also brought up Canada's history, highlighting the country's role in the Second World War.
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'Canada's been around for 150 years more and they've had a noble service… Vimy Ridge, Juno Beach, Dieppe. Tens of thousands of Canadian soldiers have died in the fight for freedom and making the world playable for all of us. You can't denigrate that. You can't deny that,' said Shatner.
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Watters brought up the fact that by persisting, Trump may eventually get what he wants.
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'At a certain point, persistence becomes insulting,' said Shatner.
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At Tuesday's meeting in the Oval Office, Trump and Carney addressed talk of the 51st state.
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