Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a business gathering on Friday that US President Donald Trump’s threat to annex Canada “is a real thing,” two Canadian business leaders who were at the meeting confirmed to CNN.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday that Canada must think “tactically and strategically” on how to deal with U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to impose hefty tariffs on all Canadian imports.

After threatening Canada with tariffs and urging it to become America's 51st state, Trump's attacks have spurred a wave of Canadian pride.