Angry Canadians Boo US National Anthem Amid Tariff Dispute

Angry Canadians Boo US National Anthem Amid Tariff Dispute

Toronto, Canada - A scathing response from Canadian sports fans was witnessed at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday as they booed during the rendition of the US national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner", before switching to enthusiastic applause for their own country's anthem, "O Canada".

The incident came amid a growing rift between the two countries following President Donald Trump's announcement earlier this week to impose broad tariffs on imports from Canada, citing concerns over illegal immigration and drugs. The move has sparked outrage in many Canadians, who view it as an unfair trade practice.

A similar backlash was seen at a National Hockey League game on Saturday, where Ottawa's crowd booed the US anthem during a match between the Minnesota Wild and the Ottawa Senators. However, the tone quickly changed after Canada's national anthem was played, with the crowd erupting into cheers.

In response to Trump's decision, Canadian officials announced that they will file a World Trade Organization claim against the tariffs and seek redress under a regional free trade deal. The country has been a long-standing participant in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which also includes Mexico.

Trump remains undeterred by the criticism, repeating his call on social media for Canada to become the 51st US state. He claimed that without the massive subsidies paid by the United States to support its neighbor's economy, Canada would no longer be a viable country.

"This massive subsidy fuels every aspect of Canada's economy," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "Without it, Canada ceases to exist as a viable country."