Trump still thinks Canada should become the 51st state: 'A real thing'

President Donald Trump has not backed down from comments that Canada should become the 51st state.

Trump made his latest comments on the suggestions during an interview that aired Sunday.

"Yeah it is," Trump told Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier when asked whether his talk of annexing Canada is "a real thing" — as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently warned.

RELATED: Guatemala bus crash leaves at least 40 dead

What they're saying:

"I think Canada would be much better off being the 51st state because we lose $200 billion a year with Canada. And I’m not going to let that happen," Trump said. "Why are we paying $200 billion a year, essentially a subsidy to Canada?"

Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada would be better off if it agreed to become the 51st U.S. state — a prospect that is deeply unpopular among Canadians.

RELATED: Donald Trump Jr. faces scrutiny in Italy over alleged hunting of protected duck

The other side:

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said 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.

 Cityscape and downtown district on a clear blue sky day, with the shore of Lake Ontario in view. (Photo by Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Trudeau’s comments to business and labor leaders in a closed-door session were mistakenly carried by a loudspeaker, Canada’s public broadcaster CBC reported.

"Mr. Trump has it in mind that the easiest way to do it is absorbing our country and it is a real thing. In my conversations with him on…," Trudeau said of making Canada a U.S. state before the microphone cut out, according to CBC.

RELATED: The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims, dies at 88

"They’re very aware of our resources, of what we have and they very much want to be able to benefit from those," Trudeau reportedly said.

Dig deeper:

Trump agreed to a 30-day pause on threats to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, with another 10% tariff on Canadian oil, natural gas and electricity.

Trump had threatened the tariffs to ensure greater cooperation from the countries to stop illegal immigration and prevent fentanyl smuggling, but he has also pledged to use tariffs to boost domestic manufacturing and raise revenues for the federal government.

Trudeau said Canada can use the 30-day extension to show U.S. officials the country’s increased spending on border security. Canada has announced a $1.3 billion Canadian dollars ($900 million) border security plan that includes drones, helicopters, more border guards and the creation of a joint task force.

Trudeau also has promised to appoint a new fentanyl czar, who will serve as the primary liaison between the Canadian and U.S. governments, even though less than 1% of the fentanyl and illegal immigrant crossings into the U.S. come from Canada.