Canada, which a few weeks ago was sending firefighters to help battle the Los Angeles wildfires, was told it wouldn’t just be whacked with tariffs but would be punished to a point where it “ceases to exist as a viable country” and submits to becoming the 51st state of its aggressive neighbour. “Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada – AND NO TARIFFS,” Trump declared on his Truth Social platform. Also, no sovereignty. Magnanimously, the president has said he wouldn’t actually invade Canada – more reassurance than Denmark got when it rejected demands to hand over Greenland – but merely use economic force to similar ends.