Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told business and labor leaders that he didn’t believe Trump was joking about wanting to annex Canada and suggested his interest might be connected to the country’s minerals and energy resources.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday said President Donald Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st U.S. state is “a real thing” and is linked to the country’s rich natural resources, local media reported.

TORONTO — Federal cabinet members stressed Friday there will be “no messing” with the Canada-U.S. border, after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested that President Donald Trump is serious about making this country the 51st state to secure Canada’s critical mineral reserves.