Tensions between the US and Canada have been central to the 4 Nations face-off tournament, and that’s justification, according to the Canadian Foreign Minister.
The political rift between the two countries first began in the NHL game on February 1, when Ottawa Senator fans booed “Star Spangled Banner.”
The Toronto Raptors fans continued the following day, but the controversy reached another level in the hockey tournament when the boos caught the public’s attention.
Sidney Crosby (87), Brandon Hagel (38), and team Canada teammates are on the bench during a pre-match ceremony before the 4 Nations face-off championship game against the US at TD Garden in Boston on February 20, 2025. (The World Cup of Hockey via Brian Babinau/4NFO/Getty Images)
Canadian fans booed the American national anthem, apparently in President Donald Trump’s speech on tariffs and response to turning Canada into the 51st state.
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After Canada’s victory over Team USA, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game.”
The booing continues at a sporting event, with New York Rangers fans booing the Canadian national anthem on Friday during their home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Canadian foreign minister Melanie Jolie said Canadian hockey fans are expected to continue excavating in the game as Trump’s tariffs come into effect this week.
Players and fans are supporting the US national anthem before the first period of a four-country showdown hockey game between Canada and the US on February 15, 2025. (Canadian media via Christinne Muschi/AP)
Justin Trudeau sends us a fiery message after the four Canadian countries win
“This is no longer a joke. This is not something we laugh about,” Joly appeared on the BBC’s “Newsnight” on Tuesday.
“Listen, we have enough of this rhetoric. Canadians don’t enjoy this right now, and there’s a reason why Canadians are booing the American national anthem when they go out to hockey games.
“We’re being insulted. We’re angry. We’re angry.”
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Trump has signed an executive order allowing an additional 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on Chinese imports. Energy imported from Canada, including oil, natural gas and electricity, is taxed at an additional 10%.
President Donald Trump will speak at Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida on February 18, 2025. (Pool via AP)
The tariffs came into effect Tuesday, urging Trudeau to announce retaliatory tariffs.
Ryan Gaydos and Greg Norman of Fox News contributed to this report.
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