Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants Americans to know that it’s not you.
Relations between the United States and Canada have become strained in recent weeks, as US President Donald Trump started implementing steep tariffs on Canadian-imported products. Starting Tuesday, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports, and a 10% tax on Canadian energy. The issues were exacerbated after Trump started calling for Canada to become the 51st state, and started referring to Trudeau as Canada’s “governor.”
Canadian citizens have not taken kindly to the United States government’s position, and Canadian crowds have booed the US national anthem at various sporting events. Spectators in Montreal booed David Grenon of the Royal Canadian Air Force Band’s rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” during a Canada-U.S. matchup in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. It happened again when fans booed the Anthem during WWE Elimination Chamber in Toronto.
Justin Trudeau expects Canada to continue booing the national anthem
Justin Trudeau reacted to fans booing while addressing the new tariffs taking effect on Tuesday. He said Canadians are hurt by the United States. They might keep booing the American national anthem, but they will keep fighting and stand up for their country.
“This is a trade war, yes. But Canadians are hurt, Canadians are angry. We’re going to choose to not go on vacation in Florida or Old Orchard Beach, or wherever. We’re going to choose to try to buy Canadian products and forego bourbon and other classic American products,” Trudeau said.
“And yeah, we’re probably going to keep booing the American anthem,” he continued. “But let me tell Americans, we’re not booing you, we’re not booing your teams, we’re not booing your players. We’re booing a policy that is designed to hurt us. And we’re insulted, and we’re angry, but we’re Canadian. Which means we’re going to stand up for each other, we’re going to fight, and we’re going to win.”
WWE Elimination Chamber
At WWE Elimination Chamber, Elizabeth Irving opened the show by singing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” but the fans at Rogers Centre loudly booed her throughout the song. WWE commentator Pat McAfee reacted during the broadcast, saying it “kinda sucked” that the event was being held in “the terrible country of Canada that booed our National Anthem.”
McAfee addressed the situation on Monday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show. There, he called for a truce or handshake with Canadians. McAfee said he was just showing his passion for his country and speaking out against one that booed his country’s anthem.
“Now, Canada, listen, there’s been some things said to me from Canadians that I guess I respect because of the passion that you have for your country,” Pat McAfee said. “Which I hope you understand that I was showing the same for mine. You booed my country. Now, I heard from a lot of Canadians. During the National Anthem, obviously, overwhelming boo, very loud boo. First reaction, whenever our National Anthem starts, there was for some of these Canadians just to start booing, and I’m like, ‘What? Okay.’ My entire life, my first reaction when somebody boos the National Anthem is [mimes punching], ‘F*ck you.’ I’m very thankful that I am from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States of America.
“I’m very proud that I am from the United States of America. Is everything perfect? Absolutely not. But my dad went from being a truck driver to a millionaire because he taught his son a work ethic and that anything is possible on this land here in the United States.”
Catch up on everything that went down at Elimination Chamber, including John Cena’s shocking heel turn, here.
