Americans quickly took to social media to express their outrage after Canadian hockey fans booed the U.S. national anthem.
During a Canada-U.S. matchup in the NHL-run 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in Montreal, spectators booed as David Grenon of the Royal Canadian Air Force Band began a rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner,” before joining in a chorus of their own national anthem, “O Canada.
Why It Matters”
On Thursday, similarly, fans booed the U.S. national anthem before the country’s pool-stage game against Finland, hosted in Montreal’s Bell Centre arena.
Canadians’ response to the anthem, regarded alongside the flag as a key symbol of American national pride, reflect the deterioration of the relationship between the two conventionally friendly nations, strained in recent weeks as a result of President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 25 percent tariffs on all Canadian imports.
The tariffs, also imposed on Mexico but currently paused as a result of a last-minute agreement reached in early February, have raised concerns over the potential impacts on both nations’ economies, led to largely unserious threats of annexation by the U.S., and prompted retaliatory trade measures by Canada.
What To Know
A similar incident occurred in early February before a basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Toronto Raptors, Canada’s sole NBA franchise, when fans booed the pre-game rendition of the U.S. national anthem. This was widely interpreted as a direct response to Trump’s tariffs on Canada.
“US anthem being booed at the Raptors-Clippers game,” sports reporter Michael Grange posted to X, formerly Twitter. “This has nothing to do with [Clippers star small forward] Kawhi Leonard and is more about US imposing 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports and the US president musing about taking us over.”
Indicating that this may become a staple at events involving both nations, spectators also booed when Agasha Mutesasira began her performance of the U.S. anthem in Vancouver, British Columbia, prior to an NHL matchup between the Vancouver Canucks and the Detroit Red Wings at the Rogers Arena.
What People Are Saying
In response to the Saturday incident, author Nick Adams posted to X: “Team USA defeats Canada 3-1 in Montreal. Canadians booed our national anthem, so we decided to dominate them at their own game. Mr. President, we are still not sick and tired of winning!”
“One of the most meaningful wins in U.S. hockey history,” another account wrote. “Our national anthem was disrespected—twice. Their fans trashed our country all week. We walked into their biggest hockey market and beat their national team on their ice. USA showed up tonight.”
Anti-Trump X account Call to Activism posted: “It’s makes me so mad and sad to hear Canadians boo the USA national anthem so loudly—because I am mad and sad that Trump ruined our nations’ friendship simply because he’s f****** stupid.”
“You just really hate to see Canada losing in their own barn after relentlessly booing the national anthem,” a Spokane, Washington, resident wrote, alongside a gif of a smiling grinch. “Hate to see it.”
The X account, Republicans against Trump, wrote: “Massive, loud boos during the U.S. national anthem at the USA-Canada hockey game in Montreal tonight. Only Donald Trump could make Canadians hate us. Excellent work, Donald.”
What Happens Next?
In addition to the 25 percent duties on Canada and Mexico, the pause on which is set to expire in early March, Trump recently announced “reciprocal” tariffs on all countries seen to be “ripping off” the U.S. with their own trade restrictions.
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