On February 1 at the Ottawa Senators vs. Minnesota Wilds hockey game, the crowd erupted into loud boos as the United States (U.S.) national anthem played over the speakers. Similar scenes unfolded that same weekend at the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames games. While team rivalry is typical at NHL hockey games, booing the national anthem is far less common. This action stands out as it marks a shift from the regular competitiveness of professional sports to a broader expression of discontent aimed at an entire country.
These actions follow President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of imposing a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, a 10% tariff on Canadian energy, and an additional 25% tariff on steel and aluminum from all foreign nations. While President Trump imposed tariffs on lumber, steel, and aluminum in his first term, this latest move marks an unprecedented escalation, directly targeting Canada on a far greater scale.
In addition to the high tariffs, President Trump has stated that he wants to annex Canada and make it the 51st U.S. state, which has also caused concerns throughout the country. Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded to President Trump’s desires by saying that Canada is not for sale.
Luckily for Canadians, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with President Trump and agreed to delay the tariffs by a month if Canada helps the U.S. with increased border security, focusing on minimizing illegal immigration and drug smuggling. As a part of this effort, PM Trudeau created a Fentanyl Czar position to combat the production and smuggling of fentanyl products. However, tensions remain high, as many Canadians are upset over President Trump’s actions, as evident by the booing of the American national anthem at hockey games.
President Trump’s actions have strained what was once a historically strong alliance between the U.S. and Canada. Some have described the relationship as unprecedently strong over the past few decades. The U.S. and Canada have partnered together to maintain the shared border, and have allied together in conflicts such as World War II while stimulating each others’ economies. In 2023, the two countries traded CAD $3.6 billion of goods daily underscoring the significance of their trade relationship.
Part of the reason trade between the U.S. and Canada flourished for so long is the North American Fair Trade Agreement (NAFTA). NAFTA was an agreement between the U.S., Canada, and later Mexico that took effect in 1994. The agreement lifted tariffs on most goods traded between the three nations. NAFTA and its successor, USMCA, allow a unique dynamic in North America that significantly benefits the economies of the involved nations.
President Trump’s actions have significantly damaged Canadian-American friendship. The tariffs would be devastating to the Canadian economy. Stephen Tapp, the Chief Economist at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, recently stated that the tariffs could cause Canada’s economy to fall into a recession as soon as mid-2025. Additionally, the desire to annex Canada threatens the nation’s sovereignty and goes against United Nations principles of respecting fellow democracies.
The future of tariffs, annexation, and U.S.-Canada relations remains uncertain. It is entirely unknown what President Trump will decide to do and how Canada will react. However, every day Canadians have begun showing their opinions at hockey games. Whatever comes next remains to be seen.
Edited by Lucy de Cartier
