Canadian hockey fans expressed their disapproval by booing The Star-Spangled Banner at a recent NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and the Minnesota Wild. This reaction came shortly after Canada was hit with tariffs by the US government under Donald Trump’s administration.

The boos and jeers filled the air as the Ottawa-based singer, Mandia, performed the American national anthem before a packed arena of nearly 20,000 spectators. Despite the negative reception, she remained composed and waited for the noise to subside before transitioning into the rendition of ‘O Canada’, the Canadian national anthem.

It comes after President Trump ordered 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports and 10% on goods from China starting on Tuesday.

Trump declared that they would remain in place until a national emergency over the drug fentanyl and illegal immigration to the U.S. ends. 

The booing got louder as the performance from Mandia went on and as she finished her performance, she looked awkwardly to the ground.

During the singing of ‘O Canada’, fans in the arena displayed a show of unity by passing the Canadian flag around, showcasing their patriotism and support for their country.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday said that Canada is ready to address the tariffs the U.S. government announced. 

On a message on his X account, he was to talk to Sheinbaum about the U.S. administration decision, and later he will speak to Canadians.

‘We did not want this, but Canada is prepared,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the Premier of Canadian province of British Columbia, David Eby, called on residents to stop buying liquor from U.S. ‘red’ states and remove American alcohol brands from government store shelves as a response to the tariffs.

The significance of the booing at the Senators-Wild game was immediately picked up by fans watching on television and in the arena itself.

One fan who shared the footage on X said: ‘I have NEVER seen Canadians boo any national anthem…. ever before in my entire life.’

Another posted the clip and said: ‘Only time I’ve ever seen Canadians boo the US  national anthem was during the Iraq war.’

A different spectator shared the video and wrote: ‘So sad. This is the first time I’ve ever seen Canadians boo the U.S. national anthem. 

‘If Canada and the U.S. can’t maintain strong relations, how can we ever hope for a peaceful world? Respectful Canadians and Americans must stand together.’

On Sunday, the Vancouver Canucks host Detroit Red Wings in the NHL, while the Toronto Raptors – the sole NBA team in Canada – host the Los Angeles Clippers.

Trump’s levies – on products such as computer chips, steel, oil, gas and cars – ‘will bring a tremendous amount of money in for our country and bring a rebirth in American manufacturing’, he said. Canada is America’s biggest foreign supplier of crude oil, followed by Mexico. 

Trump put tariffs at the center of his election campaign, citing an era more than a century ago when tariffs were a cornerstone of US trade policy and revenue.

He said: ‘It was a beautiful time. I love big, bold beautiful tariffs. They protect American businesses and encourage Americans to buy homegrown goods. 

‘I will use them as a way to punish those who continue to allow our country to be flooded with killer drugs like fentanyl and those who allow illegal aliens to pour over our borders.’

National anthem performances have taken on a heightened level of significance in the sporting world recently.

ESPN’s January 2 broadcast of the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans was widely slammed by viewers when they skipped the national anthem, a day after multiple people were killed by a terrorist attack in the French Quarter of the city.

Last week, before the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills to reach the Super Bowl, retired Navy petty officer first class Generald Wilson stunned the Arrowhead Stadium crowd with a fantastic rendition.

Chiefs star Chris Jones had tears running down his face during Wilson’s performance and he received huge praise across social media, too.

‘Ol buddy just absolutely slaughtered the National Anthem.. thanks for your service and the golden pipes sir,’ Pat McAfee wrote.

But now, it appears the US anthem could take on an altogether greater political meaning in the coming days and weeks, especially in hockey with Canadian teams facing American rivals.