"Put all our resources, instead of squabbling"—Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary calls for Canada-U.S. economic union

Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary shared an Instagram post on December 31, 2024, featuring a video clip from his Fox Business interview. In the video clip, he proposed the idea of an economic union between Canada and the United States. He emphasized that both countries could benefit from increased cooperation, where resources are shared to improve national security. His post caption read:

"What if we had free trade east, west, north, south, and we put all our resources, instead of squabbling on our own border between Canada and the United States and put all that money up into protecting ourselves against the Chinese and the Russians up north?"

While the Shark Tank investor recognized that Canadians are reluctant to give up their sovereignty, he suggested a solution similar to the European Union’s passport system.

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Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary’s proposal for Canada-U.S. economic union and its context

Kevin O'Leary shared a video clip from his appearance on Fox Business, where he discussed his vision for a potential economic union between Canada and the U.S. He explained that the Canadian public is interested in exploring this partnership, as he wrote in the Instagram caption:

"The Canadian public definitely don't want to give up their sovereignty, but they really want to explore this idea of an economic union."

O'Leary pointed out that Canada has an abundance of natural resources: power, gas, water, and lumber, among others. These could be utilized much better if both countries work together. He explained how a stronger trade relationship could enable both nations to pool their resources to focus on defending themselves from external threats, especially China and Russia.

The Shark Tank investor pointed out that the benefits of such an economic union are very substantial. He said that the two countries could both benefit from better trade routes, resource management, and security. He proposed that the two nations should channel their resources toward common goals, such as national defense, instead of border disputes.

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The sovereignty debate: Preserving identity in an economic union

O'Leary proposed a solution similar to the European Union’s system of passports. He wrote:

"The way to solve for that is a passport no different than the EU. Any American can get it. Any Canadian can get it, get the background check."

This solution would allow individuals from both countries to maintain their national citizenship while benefiting from increased trade and collaboration. The Shark Tank investor underscored that such a system would allow both Canadians and Americans to enjoy the benefits of free trade and security cooperation without losing their national identity.

He emphasized that the passport system would allow individuals to move freely between the two countries while ensuring that both nations retain control over their governance.

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Feedback from the Canadian public

O'Leary, who has a large following on social media in Canada, explained that he has been engaging with Canadians to gather feedback on his proposal. He highlighted that they are concerned about the potential loss of sovereignty.

The Shark Tank investor described how the idea of greater collaboration between the two nations is gaining interest, particularly as Canadians begin to consider the economic advantages of such an arrangement.

With ongoing political challenges in both countries, O'Leary suggested that now could be an opportune time to initiate conversations about the benefits of a more integrated economic relationship between Canada and the U.S.

"I really, really think the two countries should get together. I'm licking my chops at the opportunity of being involved because right now we've got a leadership that's collapsing." he said.

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