Canadian Fans Continue to Boo US National Anthem at NBA & NHL Games Despite Tariff Pause

Canadian sports fans continued to boo “The Star-Spangled Banner” before NBA and NHL games, even after US President Donald Trump temporarily paused tariffs on Canada.

Raptors & Canucks Fans Lead the Protests

Toronto Raptors fans booed the US national anthem ahead of their 115-121 loss to the New York Knicks. While the reaction was less intense than Sunday’s game against the Clippers, it still reflected ongoing tensions.

At Vancouver’s Rogers Arena, fans booed the anthem before the Canucks’ 3-0 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. The atmosphere shifted when singer Elizabeth Irving transitioned into “O Canada,” which was met with loud cheers.

Winnipeg Jets fans also booed the anthem before their 3-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Though the reaction started mildly, boos grew louder toward the end of the song.

Tensions Over Trump’s Tariffs

Last Saturday, Trump announced a 25% tariff on most Canadian and Mexican imports, alongside a 10% tariff on Chinese goods. The move sparked outrage across Canada.

However, after talks with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump agreed on Monday to pause tariffs for one month—but that has not stopped Canadian fans from expressing their discontent.

Trump claimed Canada agreed to tighten border security to combat fentanyl trafficking, despite reports showing Canada accounts for just 0.2% of fentanyl seizures at the US border.

Nationalism Fuels the Reactions

While the booing reflects political frustrations, the response to “O Canada” has been overwhelmingly patriotic.

The loudest cheers came during the anthem’s line:
“True North strong and free!”

With Trump’s tariff pause only temporary, it remains to be seen whether the protests will continue or intensify in the coming weeks.