President Donald Trump has doubled down on his idea of Canada becoming the United States’ 51st state, saying Sunday that he is “serious” about the possibility.

During a pre-Super Bowl interview on Fox, Trump responded to comments from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who reportedly told business leaders that Trump’s talk of absorbing Canada into the U.S. was “a real thing.”.

“Yes, it is,” Trump confirmed. “I think Canada would be much better off as a 51st state because we lose $200 billion a year with Canada, and I’m not going to let that happen.”

For years, Trump has accused Canada of unfair trade practices, saying American taxpayers are “subsidizing” their northern neighbor. He suggested bringing Canada into the U.S. would eliminate these economic imbalances.

“If they’re the 51st state, I don’t mind doing it,” he added.

Trudeau’s Leaked Remarks Add to Speculation

The comments by Trudeau reportedly came during a private meeting with business and labor leaders. However, a mistakenly live microphone broadcast part of his remarks, according to local reports.

Mr. Trump has it in mind that the easiest way to do it is absorbing our country, and it is a real thing,” Trudeau was overheard saying before the audio cut out.

Trudeau then allegedly said that the U.S. is highly interested in Canada’s vast natural resources and would benefit from greater control of those resources.

While no concrete steps have been taken toward such a move, Trump’s comments suggest the idea is more than political rhetoric. Whether Canada would entertain such a proposal, however, is an entirely different question.