Toronto Raptors fans made headlines as they booed the U.S. national anthem during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers, a trend continuing at various sporting events across Canada. This protest came shortly after HuffPost reported U.S. President Donald Trump announced import tariffs on Canadian goods.

During the game held at Scotiabank Arena, fans, after initially applauding the 15-year-old singer of the anthem, responded with boos throughout "The Star-Spangled Banner." In contrast, loud cheers followed the performance of “O Canada,” evidencing the crowd's sentiment. This booing echoes similar incidents that occurred in Ottawa and Calgary prior to the Raptors game, indicating a growing backlash to Trump's tariff policies.

Trump's tariffs include a reported 25% tax on imports from Canada and Mexico, and 10% on goods from China, a move that has triggered retaliatory tariffs from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Mexican counterpart. The crowd's mixed reactions reflect broader sentiments among Canadians, many of whom feel affected by these economic policies, as highlighted by Toronto resident Joseph Chua.

Chua, who attended the game, mentioned feeling the impact of these tariffs directly in his work, but expressed his preference for a more positive response rather than booing. He stated, “I thought chanting, ‘Canada,’ would be a more appropriate stance” given his connections to friends and family in the U.S.

Sports analysts noted that booing the U.S. anthem is an uncommon display in Canada, suggesting it is only seen during certain geopolitical tensions, such as the U.S.-led war in Iraq in the early 2000s. Raptors forward Chris Boucher humorously addressed the situation, questioning the taxation experience in Canada.

As the Toronto Raptors continue to captivate their crowd with exciting games, the incident underscores the intersection of sports and political sentiment in Canada. For more details on this unfolding situation, visit The Guardian.