NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (AP) — At Niagara Falls, the enduring honeymoon and vacationer vacation spot on the U.S.-Canadian border, guests from each nations took in President Donald Trump’s unsolicited suggestion that the U.S. annex its neighbor to the north with an air of indifferent amusement.
Do they take the concept significantly? Usually talking, no. However some residents of each nations marvel why it’s vital to select a combat with considered one of America’s closest allies when there wasn’t a lot friction there to start with.
“We’re allies,” mentioned Shannon Robinson, of Milton, Ontario. “We love you guys. And we’re proud of the amicable relationship we have. But we’re also proud to be distinct.”
Trump’s concept is daring, offensive and ignorant, however “he can say what he wants, and it’s actually bringing Canadians together right now,” mentioned Robinson, standing on the Niagara Falls Statement Tower, which extends over the Niagara Gorge and affords an unobstructed view of all three falls and the Niagara River.
In some situations, that togetherness concerned booing. The response was barely extra muted on a current day as bundled-up vacationers from all around the world braved sub-freezing temperatures to catch a glimpse of the majestic falls.
Jeremy Powers, of Panama Metropolis, Florida, mentioned the Republican U.S. president’s discuss of annexing considered one of America’s closest allies and buying and selling companions is “very weird.”
“Having that as their own independent nation needs to be maintained, I feel,” mentioned Powers, who was in New York state on a piece journey and determined to take a look at Niagara Falls.
“You know, we don’t need to try and manifest destiny and gather more land. We need to partner and work with other countries in a more friendly manner,” Powers mentioned earlier than dropping down on one knee to open up a bag containing his digital camera tools.
Manifest future, the concept america is phenomenal amongst world nations and destined by God to broaden its territory throughout North America, drove U.S. progress by the nineteenth century. Territorial enlargement was not a distinguished characteristic of international coverage debates earlier than Trump began speaking about taking up Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal — and even colonizing Mars.
“The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation, one that increases our wealth, expands our territory, builds our cities, raises our expectations and carries our flag into new and beautiful horizons,” Trump mentioned in his inaugural handle. “And we will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars.”
Canadian power minister Jonathan Wilkinson agreed that Trump is uniting Canadians, however he mentioned they’re carried out laughing about his discuss of annexation.
“On the 51st state, I think, you know, when that was said the first time, some people thought it was funny,” Wilkinson mentioned in a current interview with The Related Press. “I don’t think Canadians find it funny anymore.”
Again at Niagara Falls, plumes of vapor rose off the frigid water. On Rainbow Bridge, an American flag and a Canadian flag stand ft aside, the illustration of two neighboring nations overseeing the shared great thing about nature.
Joseph Sullivan, a landscaper who made the trek from New Orleans to upstate New York, sees Trump’s proposal as “harsh.”
“All he’s doing,” Sullivan mentioned, “is creating chaos and making other countries want to hate America.”