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By Mandy Taheri
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What was once a friendly, neighborly rivalry on the ice has become a high-stakes political showdown in Thursday night's 4 Nations Face-Off tournament championship hockey game between the U.S. and Canada.
Why It Matters
The game comes as President Donald Trump has repeatedly taken political aim at the United States' northern neighbor, issuing and then pausing tariffs, and repeatedly suggesting that Canada should become the 51st state. Canada has repeatedly rejected the proposal.
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Relations between the U.S. and Canada used to be amicable, and the countries served as major trading partners. However, over the past month, since Trump began his second term, the rapport has become much more strained and fraught, with Trump having called Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "governor" multiple times.
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What To Know
Shortly after taking office, Trump imposed 25 percent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports. The tariffs have been paused until March but resulted in retaliatory trade measures.
In addition to the 25 percent duties on Canada and Mexico, Trump recently announced "reciprocal" tariffs on all countries seen to be "ripping off" the U.S. with their own trade restrictions.
Team USA has invited Trump to watch the championship game in Boston, but the president has announced he "sadly" cannot attend as he will be speaking to Republican governors in the nation's capital tonight, but he noted that he will be calling the team to "spur them on towards victory tonight."
Trump extended an invitation to the Canadian prime minister, whom he referred to as "Governor Trudeau" in a Truth Social post on Thursday morning. His post also hit at his proposal to annex Canada, saying that, "with FAR LOWER TAXES AND MUCH STRONGER SECURITY, will someday, maybe soon, become our cherished, and very important, Fifty First State."
The 4 Nations Face-Off tournament features the U.S., Canada, Sweden and Finland. Team USA has not had a championship game against Canada since the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
How To Watch
Thursday's championship game at TD Garden in Boston will start at 8 p.m. ET. Viewers can watch the game on ESPN, Disney+ and Fubo.
What Happened In Saturday's Game
Last Saturday, the U.S. and Canada faced off in Montreal. The game had more than 4.4 million viewers, making it the most viewed non-Stanley Cup Finals hockey game since 2019, according to ESPN.
At the start of the game, Canadian fans loudly booed the U.S. national anthem, a political marker of the deterioration between the previously friendly neighbors. Within the first nine seconds of the game, three fights broke out. The U.S. won a testy 3-1 game.
What People Are Saying
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, during a press conference on Wednesday: "Let's be very clear. Conversations around the 51st state are a nonstarter. It's never going to happen. But we have to take seriously what the president is saying and fold that into our thinking as we continue to stand up for Canada."
Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair, during a meeting last Wednesday: "One of the things I think we need to be very clear to everyone, including Mr. Trump, is that Canadians will always stand up for our nation, our country. We're prepared to defend ourselves as required, and that always sometimes requires sacrifice."
Bill Guerin, general manager of the U.S. team, Tuesday on Fox News about last Saturday's game: "I think there was a little bit of a political flare to it. It's just the time that we're in. I think our guys used that as inspiration....We're just trying to represent our country the best way we can."
Republicans Against Trump, on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday: "Massive, loud boos during the U.S. national anthem at the USA-Canada hockey game in Montreal tonight. Only Donald Trump could make Canadians hate us. Excellent work, Donald."
What Happens Next
The NHL will be sending players to the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy for the first time since 2014, so many of the players on both teams could be on the ice against each other then. Some continue to be foes or teammates in the NHL.
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