Trump tariffs booed in Canada as Trudeau calls for national unity

A few hours after US President Donald Trump announced that he would impose steep tariffs on Canada, hockey fans in the capital Ottawa booed the Star-Spangled Banner during a National Hockey League game against a visiting US team.

On Sunday, during a National Basketball League game between the Toronto Raptors and the Los Angeles Clippers, it happened again, continuing throughout the song and almost drowning out the 15-year-old’s singer’s arena performance.

The vocal displeasure from usually respectful fans is a clear sign of Canadians’ deep dismay at Trump’s move to hit its nearest ally with punitive taxes, a move that threatens to spark an unprecedented trade war on the North American continent.

The 25% tariffs imposed by Trump on all Canadian imports into the US – with a lower 10% levy on energy – are set to take effect on Tuesday.

And they come as President Trump doubles down on his push – no longer dismissed as a joke – for Canada to join America and become the 51st state.

While many economists project the tariffs will also drive up costs for Americans on everyday essentials, from gas to groceries, Canada is the more exposed trade partner. If they last for months, the country could tip into a painful economic recession.

Anger is building – and with it, a desire to mount a fightback that has been echoed by political leaders in the country of 40 million.

“Many among us will be affected by this, and we will have some hard times. I ask you to be there for each other,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a Saturday evening address. “Now is the time to choose Canada.”

Some Canadians have already heeded the calls for solidarity. On social media, guides are circulating on how to avoid American-made products at the grocery store.

Others are posting about cancelling travel plans to the US, or boycotting the country all together.

In some Canadian provinces – namely Ontario, the largest by population – American booze will be pulled off the shelves indefinitely starting on Tuesday.

This is in addition to a total of C$155bn ($105bn; £86bn) of American goods that Canada has said it will tariff in retaliation, including vegetables, clothing, sports equipment, perfume and other items. Goods originating from Republican-led states, like Florida orange juice, are specifically being targeted.

The US imports more of its oil from Canada than any other country, and Trudeau’s government has signalled “all options remain on the table” for further retaliation.