Canadian fans boo U.S. national anthem at NBA matchup as tariff dispute heats up
Tensions have been brewing between the United States and Canada ever since President Trump ignited a trade war with U.S. neighbors — and now, they’re spilling over into the world of sports.
On Sunday, the NBA’s Toronto Raptors hosted the Los Angeles Clippers. But before the game began, fans at the Scotiabank Arena loudly booed during the U.S. national anthem.
The jab was immediate once 15-year-old Kyra Daniel, who is from Ontario, Canada, started singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” It largely died down halfway into the performance, but some consistent booing remained, says Adam Laskaris, a sports journalist who attended the basketball game.
Lot of boos for the American anthem before the Raptors game today.
Conversely, lot of cheers and singing for O Canada. pic.twitter.com/pi9lCZC903
— Adam Laskaris (@adam_la2karis) February 2, 2025
Daniels received resounding applause after singing “O’ Canada,” the Canadian national anthem.
Similar jeers broke out at National Hockey League games in Canada over the weekend, including during performances of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before matches between the Ottawa Senators and the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night and between the Vancouver Canucks and the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday.
Laskaris, who works at Daily Hive, a Canadian online news outlet, told NPR that he believes the boos were a direct response to the tariffs imposed by Trump. On Saturday, the U.S. president signed executive orders imposing a 25% tax on most imports from Canada and Mexico, and a 10% tax on goods from China. The tariffs are set to go into effect on Tuesday.
“We’ve always had a pretty friendly relationship with the U.S. in my lifetime, and this feels different,” he said. “I think a lot of us just feel betrayed more than anything given the history of the two countries almost always supporting one another.”
In turn, Canada’s government said it would impose 25% retaliatory tariffs on a range of U.S. products, including appliances, clothing, wine and spirits, orange juice, peanut butter and motorcycles. The Canadian tariffs are also scheduled to take effect on Tuesday.
Arlington National Cemetery stops highlighting some historical figures on its website
Articles, photos and videos that are seen as promoting DEI will be removed under the new approach.
Turmoil rocks Columbia University as Trump administration demands changes — or else
The Trump administration delivered an ultimatum to leaders of Columbia University: Make a series of major changes or lose out on billions in federal aid.
Block on Trump’s executive orders restricting DEI programs is lifted
An appeals court on Friday lifted a block on executive orders seeking to end government support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs, allowing the orders to be enforced as a lawsuit challenging them plays out.
Transgender veterans’ health services in question as VA rescinds guidance on care
In an internal VA memo seen by NPR, the VA says it's rescinding a directive that contains detailed guidance on the kind of care transgender veterans can receive at VA facilities.
Trump reclaims a Justice Department reshaped in his wake
The rare speech at the Justice Department comes as the Trump administration has spent the last several weeks trying to reconfigure the agency, including demoting attorneys who worked on cases related to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and firing officials who investigated the president himself.
The NWSL is adopting a tool to protect players from online abuse, commissioner says
NWSL's Jessica Berman says the league is adopting a tool to monitor and protect players from online abuse. The NWSL was scrutinized for not doing more to protect player Barbra Banda from harassment.