Toronto Raptors fans boo American national anthem as trade war heats up

Fans at Scotiabank Arena loudly booed during the American national anthem before the Toronto Raptors hosted the Los Angeles Clippers continuing an emerging trend at pro sporting events in Canada.

Fans of the NBA’s lone Canadian franchise booed the anthem after similar reactions broke out Saturday night at NHL games in Ottawa and Calgary, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump made his threat of import tariffs on America’s northern neighbour a reality.

Fans booed throughout “The Star-Spangled Banner” performance before the crowd erupted in applause for “O Canada” which was sung by 15-year-old Kyra Daniel.

L.A. head coach Tyronn Lue also sang the Canadian national anthem in full while Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard, who helped Toronto win the 2019 NBA championship, got a warm round of applause when he was introduced before tipoff.

Trump declared an economic emergency in order to place taxes of 25 per cent on imports from Canada while energy imported from Canada, including oil, natural gas and electricity, would be taxed at a 10 per cent rate.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexico’s president ordered retaliatory tariffs on goods from America in response.

U.S. national anthem boos in Canada are rare, but not unheard of especially when tied to world events. In the early 2000s, fans at games in Canada booed to show their disapproval of the U.S.-led war against Iraq.

The NHL’s Canucks will host the Detroit Red Wings Saturday night in Vancouver.