Trump Bizarrely Claims China Will Terminate All Ice Hockey

The English Chronicle
Publishing Date: 10 February 2026
Desk: US & International Politics

In a startling and unconventional diplomatic outburst, US President Donald Trump has claimed that China will “terminate ALL ice hockey in Canada” — a remark widely characterised as unfounded — as part of his increasingly combative effort to block the opening of a major new border bridge linking the United States and Canada. Trump’s comments have drawn mockery and criticism from political rivals, analysts and international observers alike.

The bizarre claim featured in a social media post on Truth Social, where Trump railed against the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a $4.6 billion infrastructure project funded by Canada and designed to connect Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan. The President is threatening to halt the bridge’s opening unless the United States receives greater compensation and what he describes as “fair treatment” in trade and diplomatic relations.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge was expected to open in early 2026, easing congestion across the Detroit River and bolstering cross-border trade. But Trump — despite previously supporting the project during his first term — has taken an aggressive stance, contending that Canada owns both sides of the bridge and used “virtually no U.S. content” in its construction.

In his lengthy online post, Trump tied the bridge dispute to broader grievances, including purported Canadian tariffs on US products and Canada’s unspecified negotiations with China. It was at this point that he veered into the extraordinary assertion that “the first thing China will do is terminate ALL ice hockey being played in Canada, and permanently eliminate The Stanley Cup.”

Most analysts see no practical or policy basis for such a claim. Ice hockey in Canada is deeply embedded culturally and institutionally, with professional leagues, grassroots programmes and national sporting organisations that operate independently of foreign influence. China, meanwhile, has its own ice hockey programmes but no mechanism to “terminate” the sport in a sovereign nation.

Trump’s remarks quickly drew rebukes from politicians on both sides of the border. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer called the threat to block the bridge “misguided” and emphasised the project’s importance to the regional economy and trade infrastructure. Senator Elissa Slotkin warned of “serious detrimental impacts” on jobs and commerce if the bridge were prevented from opening.

Lawmakers in Michigan from both parties have stressed the infrastructure’s economic value, noting that it would relieve congestion on existing crossings and strengthen the Detroit–Windsor trade corridor.

Canadian officials have so far avoided direct public comment on Trump’s ice hockey claim, focusing instead on reiterating the bridge’s benefits and Canada’s ongoing partnership with the United States. Ottawa officials highlight that the project was financed entirely by the Canadian government, with plans to recoup investment through toll revenue.

The unusual rhetoric comes amid simmering trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa, particularly after Canada pursued tariff reductions on certain goods and expanded trade ties with China. Trump has previously threatened punitive tariffs if Canada pursued a full trade agreement with Beijing — threats Canadian officials have repeatedly denied are imminent.

Economists and foreign policy experts caution that blending trade disputes with exaggerated claims can undermine diplomatic relationships between longstanding allies. Canada and the United States remain each other’s largest trading partners, with extensive cross-border manufacturing and supply chains that are deeply integrated.

Critics also note that using cultural tropes — such as the popularity of ice hockey in Canada — as leverage in trade rhetoric detracts from substantive policy debate and risks alienating Canadians rather than strengthening America’s negotiating position.

In both Canada and the United States, online reaction to Trump’s “ice hockey” claim has ranged from amusement to incredulity. Many analysts described it as emblematic of Trump’s recent penchant for sensational statements that blur the line between policy grievances and hyperbolic rhetoric.

Political commentators have suggested that framing trade issues through such exaggerated scenarios may reflect broader electoral strategies, appealing to domestic audiences rather than presenting credible diplomatic arguments. Others warn that mischaracterising allies and global partners could have long-term consequences for international cooperation.

Blocking or delaying the opening of a key trade link like the Gordie Howe International Bridge would have significant economic repercussions. The crossing is designed to support commercial traffic, tourism and supply chain efficiency between Ontario and Michigan.

Political leaders on both sides of the border emphasise that infrastructure cooperation is crucial for regional economies, and the threat to halt the bridge’s opening has been met with bipartisan pushback in the United States and reaffirmations of partnership from Canadian officials.

President Donald Trump’s assertion that China will “terminate all ice hockey in Canada” has drawn global attention not for its diplomatic weight but for its oddity. As part of a broader effort to renegotiate terms with Canada over trade and infrastructure, the claim highlights the increasingly personalised and dramatic rhetoric shaping some facets of contemporary geopolitical discourse.

While the Gordie Howe International Bridge remains a cornerstone of cross-border cooperation, its future has become uncertain amid political tension. As negotiations and public debate continue, many experts hope that practical economic and strategic interests will prevail over sensational statements.

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