Introduction

SHELBY, MONT. - As America braces for another potentially contentious chapter in its relationship with Canada, residents in Montana are weighing in on President-elect Donald Trump's audacious proposal of making Canada the "51st state." After previously jesting about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau being the "governor" of the "great state of Canada," Trump's remarks have taken a more serious turn, with threats of using "economic force" to annex the northern neighbor.

Local Reactions in Shelby

In Shelby, Montana – just a stone's throw from the Canadian border – locals are vocalizing their opinions. John Alsdad, a resident and business professional, expressed his admiration for Canadians, stating, "I’ve had a lot of business dealings with Canadians in Alberta, and they're great, great people." Ken Wolf echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the positive relationship shared with neighboring Alberta: "The people, good people, good neighbours. We love Alberta, and it’s a good country."

Economic Threats

Trump's provocative stance wasn't born in a vacuum; earlier this November, he threatened to impose a hefty 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico unless significant improvements were made to border security. This directive could have serious ramifications for Montana, where over $1 billion in goods were exported to Canada in 2023 alone.

Community Perspectives

Shelby is a small community of about 3,300 residents, where agriculture and the vast outdoors define the local lifestyle. However, many locals see the economic potential of tapping into Canadian resources. "We can use Canadian oil, and the XL pipeline wouldn't be all bad," added Alsdad, reflecting on the energy-rich province's valuable assets.

Speculations on Economic Merger

While some people, like John Hagman, seem to think Trump is merely "pushing a few buttons," others speculate on the impact of a potential economic merger between the two nations. "It'll probably never happen. But there's a possibility of a merger economically between the two countries, and that would be the most unstoppable force, military-wise, economically-wise, in the world," he shared. The idea of a North American economic partnership, bolstered by advancements in technology and renewable energy, is enticing to some.

Importance of Trade Relations

Montana's local economy is heavily tied to its northern neighbor, making the possibility of tariffs and trade wars particularly alarming. Economic experts in the region stress the importance of maintaining solid ties. Brett Doney, president and CEO of the Great Falls Development Alliance, highlighted the ongoing collaborative efforts. "We’re focused on continuing our cross-border partnership. We have a number of businesses and farmers in Montana that have long had business connections in Alberta and Lethbridge in particular, so it’s a mutually beneficial relationship."

Memorandum of Understanding

In a bid to strengthen these connections, the Great Falls Development Alliance recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Economic Development Lethbridge, aiming to bolster imports and exports between the two regions.

Political Sentiments

While Trump's comments resonate with a segment of the Republican-leaning voters in Montana, reactions are mixed. The 2024 election saw the Republican Party dominate statewide, winning the presidential, senate, and governor races. However, a portion of the community expressed their disbelief over the feasibility of Canada joining the U.S. and suggested that selective provinces might be more appropriate candidates for such an idea.

Conclusion

As discussions continue, Montanans remain vigilant, weighing the implications of political rhetoric on their beloved border relationship.