During a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, U.S. President Donald Trump once again called the Canada-U.S. border artificial. He described it as “a straight line drawn with a ruler” across the top of the continent.
“Somebody drew that line many years ago with, like, a ruler,” Trump said, pointing to a map at the White House. When asked for his reaction, Carney smiled and replied, “I’m glad that you couldn’t tell what was going through my mind.”
Trump has made similar comments before, referring to the border as “imaginary” and hinting at annexation. While his statements often sound provocative, some historians admit there’s a historical basis.
The Truth Behind the Canada-U.S. Border Artificial Claim
Stephen Bown, author of Dominion: The Railway and the Rise of Canada, believes Trump isn’t entirely wrong. “He’s provoking people, but from a historian’s viewpoint, he has a point,” Bown said.
Forming the Canada-U.S. border took more than a hundred years. It involved a series of treaties, territorial disputes, and diplomatic negotiations. It may look like a clean cut on a map, but that line reflects centuries of political effort.
In 1908, one of the final major adjustments took place. The U.S., the U.K., and Canada renegotiated the southeast border of Alaska. Craig Baird, host of the Canadian History Ehx podcast, said the U.K. wanted stronger U.S. ties. This helped the U.S. secure a favorable outcome.
“That’s why a large part of the Alaska Panhandle, including Juneau, belongs to the U.S.,” Baird explained. “It’s also the reason Yukon lacks direct Pacific access, which Canada badly wanted.”
Settled Through Treaties, Not War
Over time, both countries avoided armed conflict over the border. Most disputes ended through peaceful treaties like the Treaty of Paris (1783) and the Oregon Treaty (1846). The Canada-U.S. border, though artificial in origin, now holds legal and symbolic weight.
“It’s not just a line anymore,” Baird said. “It’s a deeply rooted part of both countries’ identities.”
Modern Borders Are Not Easily Changed
Trump’s suggestion of revisiting the border drew quick skepticism. Baird emphasized that in today’s world, redrawing boundaries is far from simple. “You can’t just erase a line and say, ‘This is how it’ll be now.’ It doesn’t work that way.”
Despite being a man-made line, the border is now the world’s longest undefended boundary, spanning nearly 9,000 kilometers. It’s more than a geographical division; it represents long-standing diplomacy and shared stability.
Trump may have simplified the history for dramatic effect. Still, his comment served as a reminder that even fixed lines were once up for debate—and took generations to define.
