Elon Musk’s relationship with the US government has affected his companies, and now, the effect is spreading to his personal life. Thousands of people have signed a petition to revoke Musk’s Canadian citizenship.
The petition began accepting signatures five days ago. More than 250,000 Canadians have already signed it, and it will be open for more signatures until June 20.
The petition reads, “Elon Musk has engaged in activities that go against the national interest of Canada. He has used his wealth and power to influence our elections. He has now become a member of a foreign government that is attempting to erase Canadian sovereignty, and the attempts of Elon Musk to attack Canadian sovereignty must be addressed.”
This happens amid tensions between the Trump administration and Canada. The billionaire replied to the petition on X by writing, “Canada is not a real country.” The post was later taken down.
Musk’s citizenship
Tesla’s CEO is a Canadian citizen because his mother was born in Saskatchewan, Canada. Musk was born in South Africa, but he holds both Canadian and US citizenship.
When he was 18, Musk went to Canada from South Africa and did odd jobs while he studied at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. He later moved to the US.
Since last year, the billionaire has backed Trump’s strict immigration policies. However, it backfired on him because he was being looked at closely. It is said he worked illegally in the US while on a student visa. Steve Bannon, who used to work for President Trump, called Mr. Musk a “parasitic illegal immigrant” in an interview.
The CEO of Tesla has rejected the claims and said he did not do any illegal work. A new account says that he became a naturalized US citizen in 2002.
Will the petition succeed? Maybe not. It is mostly symbolic and has no legal force. But petitions with at least 500 signatures and the support of a member of parliament usually get a reaction from the government. This one might not, since parliament could be dissolved in the spring.
Someone from British Columbia wrote the petition, which was backed by New Democratic Party MP Charlie Angus. Angus, who has been an MP for Timmins–James Bay for 20 years, has said he will not run for office again.
US and Canada rivalry
It all started after Trump declared an economic emergency in order to place duties of 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada. Energy imported from Canada, including oil, natural gas, and electricity, would be taxed at a 10% rate.
Trump’s order includes a way to raise the rates that the US charges other countries in response to retaliations. This makes the possibility of an even worse economic chaos even more real.
In response, Canada announced retaliatory tariffs against the US. This is a move that marked the beginning of a trade war between the neighbouring countries. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau set out far-reaching tariffs of 25%, affecting CAD 155 billion worth $106.6 billion of American goods. This ranges from beer and wine to household appliances and sporting goods.
However, after last-minute talks with the two US neighbors, President Donald Trump put off for 30 days the heavy taxes he had planned. Now what is left is anxiety on what happens after time elapses.
The conflict has also spread beyond the government. Canadians have been canceling US trips, boycotting American products, and booing opposing anthems at hockey and basketball games.
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