Trump’s 51st state talk is not a ‘real threat,’ Canada’s defence minister says [Video]

Defence Minister Bill Blair says U.S. President Donald Trump’s talk of annexing Canada is not a “real threat,” less than a week after the prime minister was heard telling an economic summit that it should be taken seriously.

The minister is in Brussels to meet with NATO allies and the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of countries supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion. Blair and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had a breakfast meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday morning.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Blair said that while Trump’s comments are “disrespectful and concerning,” he doesn’t see them as a serious threat.

“Certainly we’re concerned about those remarks, and I think overwhelmingly for all Canadians those remarks are offensive. We’re proud of our country,” he said.

“We’ve assured all of our allies we’re prepared to stand up for our country. I do not believe that …