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.

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

Patriotic sentiment is bursting in Canada after President Trump’s threat to apply hefty tariffs and even annex the country. The damage to the two nations’ relationship could be lasting.