President Donald Trump has weighed in on the Canadian election, repeating his claim that Canada should become a U.S. state after his tariffs and threats of annexation were a central issue in the federal campaign.

“Elect the man who has the strength and wisdom to cut your taxes in half, increase your military power, for free, to the highest level in the World, have your Car, Steel, Aluminum, Lumber, Energy, and all other businesses, QUADRUPLE in size, WITH ZERO TARIFFS OR TAXES, if Canada becomes the cherished 51st. State of the United States of America,” Trump posted on social media.

Canada has also been impacted by Trump’s tariffs on automobiles, steel and aluminum. Among the president’s growing list of planned duties is also lumber and copper.

Monday’s vote 28 April, 2024 will decide which party will negotiate with the president as he looks to upend CUSMA, the continental trade pact signed under the first Trump administration. Many experts say Trump is undermining his own deal by hitting America’s closest neighbours with tariffs.

Polling shows very little support from Americans for a U.S. takeover of Canada. When asked on Sunday whether the Trump administration had taken any steps towards annexation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said “no,” adding that Trump believes Canada would be better as a U.S. state.