Fans across Canada continued to boo the US national anthem during NBA and NHL games on Tuesday, despite the announcement that US President Donald Trump had agreed to delay imposing tariffs on Canada.
At Rogers Arena in Vancouver, a chorus of boos greeted “The Star-Spangled Banner” ahead of the Canucks’ 3-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche, according to the Associated Press.
The mood shifted as singer Elizabeth Irving concluded the anthem, with boos turning into loud cheers when she began singing “O Canada.”
Earlier on Saturday, Trump had unveiled tariffs that threatened to drive up costs for American consumers.
The new duties included a 25% tariff on most imports from Canada and Mexico, alongside a 10% tariff on goods from China.
However, just hours before the tariffs were set to take effect, Trump paused them for one month following discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Both leaders pledged to enhance border security measures.
“Canada has agreed to ensure we have a secure Northern Border, and to finally end the deadly scourge of drugs like Fentanyl that have been pouring into our Country, killing hundreds of thousands of Americans, while destroying their families and communities all across our Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Despite this, fans at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena maintained the protest. Before the Raptors’ 115-121 loss to the New York Knicks, boos echoed during the US national anthem, though not as strongly as in Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
In contrast, the crowd erupted in cheers during “O Canada,” particularly during the line “True North strong and free!”
The Winnipeg Jets’ NHL game against the Carolina Hurricanes saw a similar reaction.
The boos during the anthem started quietly but grew louder towards the end. The Jets secured a 3-0 victory, extending their winning streak to seven games.
Canadian fans’ protest reflects lingering frustration over the tariffs, despite the temporary reprieve.
