U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed accusations that he was “trolling” Canada with his recent comments about making the country the 51st state. In a new interview marking the first 100 days of his second term, Trump doubled down on his statement, insisting he was serious about the idea of American territorial expansion.

The interview, published by Time magazine, saw Trump addressing his controversial remarks about acquiring Greenland and taking control of the Panama Canal, along with the suggestion of making Canada part of the United States.

When asked whether he was joking or “trolling” with his proposal to annex Canada, Trump responded, “Actually, no, I’m not. I’m really not trolling. Canada is an interesting case.”

Trump’s assertion that the U.S. should consider incorporating Canada as the 51st state has stirred controversy in both countries. His comments were met with skepticism, particularly since the U.S. already maintains significant economic ties with Canada and the idea of annexation is highly improbable.

During the interview, Trump further claimed that the U.S. spends billions of dollars each year “supporting Canada,” a statement that lacks substantiated evidence. His remarks come amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Canadian leadership, particularly during his dealings with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom he once referred to as the “governor” of Canada.

The U.S. president’s comments sparked backlash in Canada, with critics accusing Trump of disrespecting Canadian sovereignty and attempting to undermine the strong diplomatic relationship between the two nations.

While Trump’s statements are likely more rhetorical than realistic, they highlight the complex and often contentious nature of U.S.-Canada relations, particularly when it comes to issues of trade, defense, and political influence.

Despite the controversy, Trump’s remarks have garnered attention, and political analysts are questioning whether such provocative comments are part of a broader strategy to assert U.S. dominance in the Americas.

Though the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state is unlikely to gain any traction, Trump’s comments serve as a reminder of the sometimes unpredictable and controversial nature of his rhetoric on the international stage.