International

Trudeau warns that Trump wants to annex Canada to get his critical minerals

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned on Friday that US President Donald Trump really wants to annex Canada and that his goal is to seize the country’s reserves of critical raw materials and minerals.

Trump has shown on several occasions before and after starting his second term on January 20 his interest in turning Canada into the 51st state of the US, even using “economic force.”

In comments made by Trudeau behind closed doors during a summit in Toronto with Canadian business, political and social leaders, the prime minister declared that the Trump Administration not only knows the critical minerals that Canada has, but that may be the reason why he continues to talk about absorbing the country and making it the state 51.

“They are aware of the resources we have and want to take advantage of them. But Trump has in his mind that one of the easiest ways to do it is to absorb the country,” he said in statements that were leaked by mistake.

Trump first expressed his interest in annexing Canada when Trudeau visited him in Florida after winning the US presidential election in November 2024 and when the Republican leader announced that he would impose 25% tariffs on Canadian products.

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During Trudeau’s visit, Trump pointed out that the only way to avoid tariffs, which Canada considers would devastate its economy, was to become the 51st state of the United States.

The president has then repeated his comments on numerous occasions and has even indicated that he would be willing to use “economic force” to bend Canada.

Since then, the Trump Administration has announced that it will impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico for fentanyl trafficking to the United States, although the taxes are currently suspended for 30 days.

International

Florida judge sets 2027 trial in Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against BBC

A federal judge in Florida has scheduled February 2027 for the trial in the lawsuit filed by U.S. President Donald Trump against the BBC, in which he is seeking $10 billion in damages for defamation.

Trump accuses the British broadcaster of airing a misleading edit of a speech he delivered on January 6, 2021, which, he says, made it appear that he explicitly urged his supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

The president filed the suit in December in federal court in Florida, alleging defamation and violations of a law governing business practices when the program was broadcast ahead of the 2024 election.

Trump is seeking $5 billion in damages for each of the two claims.

Lawyers for the BBC unsuccessfully asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that Trump had not suffered a “legally recognizable harm,” since the investigative program Panorama, which included the edited footage, aired outside the United States.

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International

Head-of-state diplomacy key to guiding China–U.S. ties, Beijing says

Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role in China–United States relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday during a regular press briefing, when asked about high-level exchanges between the two sides.

Lin added that in a recent phone call, U.S. President Donald Trump once again expressed his intention to visit China in April, while Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his invitation.

Both sides remain in communication regarding the matter, the spokesperson said.

Lin noted that the essence of China–U.S. economic and trade ties lies in mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

“Both parties should work together to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, injecting greater certainty and stability into China–U.S. economic and trade cooperation, as well as into the global economy,” he said.

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International

Trump administration to end special immigration operation in Minnesota

The administration of Donald Trump is bringing to a close its special operation targeting illegal immigration in the northern state of Minnesota, border czar Tom Homan announced Thursday, following weeks of unrest and the fatal shootings of two activists by federal agents.

Thousands of federal officers had been deployed to Minnesota in December to carry out large-scale raids against undocumented immigrants.

The operations triggered strong reactions from residents and advocacy groups, leading to daily confrontations and the deaths of two people who were shot by federal agents.

“I proposed, and President Trump agreed, that this special operation should end in Minnesota,” Homan said during a press conference in the state capital, Minneapolis.

“A significant drawdown began this week and will continue into next week,” he added.

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Homan indicated that similar enforcement efforts could be launched in other cities.

“Next week we will redeploy the agents currently here back to their home stations or to other parts of the country where they are needed. But we will continue to enforce immigration laws,” he said.