Canadian PM Slams Trump: ‘You Can’t Take Our Country or Our Game’ After Hockey Victory

The Prime Minister of Canada has expressed strong disapproval of Donald Trump’s remarks regarding the potential annexation of Canada, stating that “you can’t take our country, and you can’t take our game,” following Canada’s victory in a significant ice hockey match.

On Thursday, Canada triumphed over the United States to clinch the 4 Nations hockey tournament, with the intense competition on the ice paralleling the ongoing political tensions between the two nations.

In a video posted while celebrating Canada’s victory, Mr. Trudeau stated: “You can’t take our country – and you can’t take our game.”

Earlier that day, the White House playfully commented on the situation, expressing anticipation for the US to “defeat our soon-to-be 51st state, Canada”.

While Mr. Trump did not campaign on a platform to annex Canada, he has frequently suggested the idea since taking office, referring to Canada as “the 51st state.”

Read more: US threat to Canada most serious one since War of 1812

Initially, Canadian officials took his comments lightly, but Mr. Trudeau remarked, “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.”

In retaliation, President Trump announced plans to implement 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. Subsequently, both nations responded with retaliatory tariffs while discussing collaborations.

On his Truth Social platform earlier in February, Mr. Trump remarked: “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, we should produce our own cars, and we have more lumber than we can ever use.”

He claimed that without the “massive subsidy,” Canada “ceases to exist as a viable country.”

He further added: “Thus, Canada should become our cherished 51st state. It would mean lower taxes and significantly better military protection for Canadians – AND NO TARIFFS!”