Trump joked about allowing Canada to keep the anthem if it joins the U.S.

US President Donald Trump said that if Canada joins Canada as the 51st US state, he will allow it to keep the anthem. He said this on February 21 during a speech at the Republican Governors' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., a recording of which was broadcast by the Associated Press.

"I love [the anthem] 'Oh, Canada.' It's a beautiful thing. I think we're going to have to keep it for the 51st state," the publication quoted the American leader as saying.

Shortly before, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commented on the national hockey team's victory in the Four Nations Tournament, addressing Trump. He stated that the U.S. cannot take the country away from them.

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Feb. 7Trudeau expressed that President Trump's statements to make Canada the 51st state are real. Trudeau said that the American leader is not joking when he claims that Canada is part of the United States, as he intends to gain access to the country's minerals.

Earlier, on Feb. 2, Trump said that if Canada wants to achieve lower taxes and no customs duties, it should join the United States as the 51st state