By Canadian hockey fans made their frustration clear on Saturday night, loudly booing the U.S. national anthem before the Ottawa Senators’ game against the Minnesota Wild. The demonstration came just hours after former President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, heightening tensions between the neighboring countries.
A sold-out crowd of nearly 20,000 at the Canadian Tire Centre jeered throughout the performance of The Star-Spangled Banner, sung by Ottawa-based artist Mandia. As the song progressed, the boos grew louder, creating a politically charged atmosphere in the arena. The reaction appeared to be a direct response to Trump’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports, along with a 10% tariff on goods from China. Trump defended the move as a measure to address what he called a national emergency related to fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration, vowing that the tariffs would remain until those issues were resolved.
Mandia, seemingly caught off guard by the crowd’s response, looked down awkwardly as she completed the anthem. The mood in the arena shifted noticeably when she transitioned to O Canada, with fans proudly waving Canadian flags in unison, according to a report by The Daily Mail.
Beyond the hockey arena, the backlash to the tariffs quickly gained traction. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded on social media, emphasizing that Canada would not back down. “We did not want this, but Canada is prepared,” he wrote, hinting at possible retaliatory measures. British Columbia Premier David Eby took a more grassroots approach, calling for Canadian consumers to boycott liquor from Republican-led U.S. states and urging government liquor stores to remove American brands from their shelves. The call for economic pushback reflects a growing sentiment among Canadians who see the tariffs as an attack on key industries.
The anthem protest quickly spread across social media, with fans expressing shock at the moment. One spectator posted on X, formerly Twitter, “I have NEVER seen Canadians boo any national anthem… ever before in my entire life.” Another compared the moment to Canadian reactions during the Iraq War, one of the last times such public displays of discontent were directed toward the U.S. Some fans took a more somber tone, questioning the impact on international relations. “So sad. This is the first time I’ve ever seen Canadians boo the U.S. national anthem. If Canada and the U.S. can’t maintain strong relations, how can we ever hope for a peaceful world?”
WATCH: Loud booing of the U.S. national anthem at NHL game in Canada, after Trump announces tariffs pic.twitter.com/aEovtuW2eE
— BNO News Live (@BNODesk) February 2, 2025
Trump has long promoted tariffs as a cornerstone of his economic policy, claiming they will strengthen American manufacturing and encourage domestic production. His latest round of tariffs is expected to have significant consequences for Canada, particularly in steel, oil, gas, and automobiles—industries that are deeply integrated across North America. Canada, as the largest foreign supplier of crude oil to the U.S., could face serious economic challenges if tensions escalate further.
Defending his decision, Trump remained firm. “It was a beautiful time. I love big, bold, beautiful tariffs,” he said. “They protect American businesses and encourage Americans to buy homegrown goods.”
With emotions running high, future sporting events featuring Canadian and American teams may continue to reflect growing national tensions.
As the economic and political ramifications of the tariffs continue to unfold, Canadian officials and businesses are carefully considering their next moves. For now, hockey arenas and other sporting venues may continue to serve as unexpected arenas for political expression, highlighting the strain in Canada-U.S. relations, NBC News wrote.
“Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Saturday night that his country would respond to President Donald Trump’s decision to enact a 25% tariff on Canadian exports to the U.S. by implementing a 25% tariff against $155 billion in U.S. goods.
Trudeau did not specify whether the $155 billion in American goods was the products’ worth in Canadian or U.S. dollars. $155 billion in Canadian dollars would be about $106 billion in U.S. dollars.
Trudeau’s comments came just hours after Trump signed an executive order implementing tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China. Trump’s order implemented a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada — excluding Canadian energy products, which would face a 10% tariff. He also implemented an additional 10% tariff on imports from China.
‘Like the American tariffs, our response will also be far reaching and include everyday items such as American beer, wine and bourbon, fruits and fruit juices, including orange juice, along with vegetables, perfume, clothing and shoes,” Trudeau said. “It’ll include major consumer products like household appliances, furniture and sports equipment, and materials like lumber and plastics, along with much, much more.'”
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