U.S. National Anthem Loudly Booed At NHL & NBA Games In Canada As Trump’s Tariffs Go Into Effect

In a symbolic show of anger, Canadian fans began booing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before NHL and NBA games over the weekend. The mass protests come on the same weekend that U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, as well as 10% on those from China. Trump’s announcement of tariffs was met with retaliatory measures from Canada and the promise of “tariff and non-tariff measures” from Mexico.

Typically, at NHL and NBA games involving teams from each country, both national anthems are performed before play begins. During “The Star-Spangled Banner” at NHL games in Ottawa, Vancouver and Calgary, usually-demure Canadians began loudly booing the U.S. anthem, at some points making it hard to even hear the song. The anthem does not appear to have been a part of televised coverage of the games, but attendees quickly began posting video of the moments online.

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On Sunday, the same happened in Toronto, where Canada’s only NBA team, the Raptors, were set to play the L.A. Clippers.

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