Canada’s prime minister has hit out at Donald Trump’s comments about annexing the country, saying “you can’t take our country, and you can’t take our game”, in the wake of a major ice hockey win.
On Thursday, Canada beat the United States to win the 4 Nations hockey tournament, with the tense action on the ice mirroring the political tensions bubbling between the two countries.
Posting a video of him cheering in the wake of Canada’s win, Mr Trudeau posted: “You can’t take our country – and you can’t take our game.”
Earlier in the day, the White House had poked fun at its opponent, saying it looked forward to the US “beating our soon-to-be 51st state, Canada”.
Mr Trump did not campaign for the presidency on annexing Canada, but since winning the election, he has regularly aired the idea of making Canada “the 51st state.”
Read more: US threat to Canada most serious one since War of 1812
Canadian leaders did not take him seriously at first, but Mr Trudeau has said on the issue: “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.”
In retaliation, President Trump said he would impose 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. The two countries then hit back with retaliatory tariffs, as they spoke of working together.
Donald Trump posted a map showing Canada as part of the US on his Truth Social platform shortly before his inauguration
Speaking on his Truth Social platform earlier in February, Mr Trump said: “We pay hundreds of Billions of Dollars to SUBSIDIZE Canada. Why? There is no reason.
“We don’t need anything they have. We have unlimited Energy, should make our own Cars, and have more Lumber than we can ever use.”
He claimed without the “massive subsidy” Canada “ceases to exist as a viable country”.
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Three fights in nine seconds of ice hockey game
He added: “Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada – AND NO TARIFFS!”
