Canadians dismiss US' 51st state remark

US President Donald Trump's suggestion that Canada should become the 51st state of the United States has been met with defiance from Canadians.

Adam Chapnick, a professor at the Canadian Forces College, a school for military officers, said that Trump's remarks have led to a heightened level of national unity.

"This began as a bit of a joke and then evolved into being more of a troll," Chapnick told China Daily. "While the president might genuinely think that Canada and Canadians would fare better as the 51st state, without a direct US military attack on Canada, there is no likelihood whatsoever of this happening."