![\"Donald](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2C2KUGR3RJDXZF2GVH4MWZRNKY.jpg\")
Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have maintained friendly relations. Andrew Harnik\/Getty Images <\/p>\nDonald Trump veered into an off-topic rant about Canadian hockey when he was asked about a different ally\u2019s talks with China.<\/p>\n
The 79-year-old president told reporters that Canada\u2019s national sport could be at risk when asked a perfectly ordinary question about a trip to Beijing by the British prime minister. Trump warned that closer ties with China could have far-reaching consequences\u2014for Canada.<\/p>\n
Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have maintained friendly relations. Andrew Harnik\/Getty Images <\/p>\n
\u201cMr. President, what do you think about the U.K. getting into business with China? Keir Starmer is in Beijing,\u201d the reporter asked at the premiere of a documentary about the president\u2019s wife Melania.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very dangerous for them to do that,\u201d Trump began, before quickly pivoting to Canada, against which he has long held a grudge. <\/p>\n
The president was particularly unhappy after Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing and announced a landmark \u201cnew strategic partnership\u201d aimed at reversing years of strained relations.<\/p>\n
\u201cCanada\u2019s not doing well; they are doing very poorly, and you can\u2018t look at China as the answer to this,\u201d Trump continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know China very well, President Xi is a friend of mine, I know him very well\u2026The first thing they\u2019re going to do is say you are not allowed to play ice hockey anymore. That\u2019s not good. Canada\u2019s not going to like that,\u201d the president added.<\/p>\n
China is Canada\u2019s second-largest trading partner after the U.S.<\/p>\n
Following the meeting with Xi, Canada announced it would reduce its 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, a measure introduced in late 2024 to mirror U.S. policy. In return, Beijing agreed to scale back retaliatory tariffs on Canadian canola seeds and meal.<\/p>\n
![\"Trump](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PEAM5J2QHNDPRJM6MHJ5XVK32M.jpg\")
Trump has threatened to impose a 100 percent tariff on Canadian imports. Anna Moneymaker\/Getty Images <\/p>\n
In response, Trump threatened to impose a 100 percent tariff on Canadian imports if Ottawa proceeds with deeper trade engagement with China. Carney said Sunday his country does not intend to pursue a free trade deal with Beijing.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not the first time the president has dished out deranged ice hockey warnings to Canada over its relations with China.<\/p>\n
\u201cChina is successfully and completely taking over the once Great Country of Canada. So sad to see it happen,\u201d Trump said in a post on Truth Social last week.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cI only hope they leave Ice Hockey alone! President DJT.\u201d<\/p>\n
The president\u2019s ramblings on Thursday came amid heightened concerns over his health. Trump has faced increased scrutiny for displaying many signs of physical and cognitive <\/a>decline.<\/p>\n One of his former press secretaries said that a rambling press conference he gave on Jan. 20 is a sign that he is \u201cmentally slipping.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n