Canadian soccer crowds boo US anthem as trade talks collapse and tariffs loom
Fans at Vancouver and Montreal soccer venues jeered the US national anthem after Prime Minister Mark Carney halted trade negotiations and the United States imposed 50% tariffs on Canadian goods.
During a weekend MLS double-header, crowds at Vancouver's B.C. Place and Montreal's Stade Saputo booed the US national anthem, echoing frustration over the renewed breakdown in Canada-US trade talks. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the suspension of negotiations after the United States rolled out 50% tariffs on a wide swath of Canadian goods, prompting Canada to promise reciprocal tariffs by Sept. 8. The retaliatory duties cover roughly $28 billion of exports, about five percent of Canadian shipments to the US, with Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec expected to bear the brunt across sectors such as agriculture, textiles and electronics.
University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe estimates the measures could eliminate around 87,000 jobs nationwide. While some Canadians, including Niiamaa Laryea and Lesley Combden, applaud Carney's resolve, others like Peter Arndt and Cathy Wouldzia warn the tariffs may also hurt domestic businesses. Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette noted US demands on French-language labeling, and President Donald Trump used his platform to criticize Canada's trade stance.
How this story developed
- Aug 11 Canadian trade minister meets U.S. counterpart again as tariff deadline looms
- Aug 20 The tariff suspension was extended to remain in place through the end of Aug. 21.
- Aug 20 A trade agreement was reached to suspend the threatened 50% tariffs, with terms not made public.
- Aug 22 A second day of talks was held in Washington as the Saturday tariff deadline loomed.
- Aug 22 The United States moved from pausing the tariffs to announcing they will be imposed after the talks failed.
- Aug 22 Canada abruptly ended negotiations with the United States after Washington introduced last-minute changes that Prime Minister Mark Carney called unfair and uneconomic, sending the trade team back to Ottawa.
- Aug 22 The United States invoked the previously unused Section 338 of the 1930 Tariff Act to impose the tariffs.
- Aug 22 Canada said it will roll out retaliatory tariffs on September 8.
- Aug 22 President Donald Trump enacted 50% duties on a wide array of Canadian goods worth about $20 billion, and Prime Minister Mark Carney announced equivalent counter-tariffs starting Sept. 8.
- Aug 22 Canada set September 8 as the effective date for its retaliatory tariffs.
- Aug 23 U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the United States had offered reduced steel, aluminium and automotive duties as part of the stalled negotiations.
- Aug 23 Trump publicly criticized Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on his social‑media platform.
- Aug 23 Alberta premier Danielle Smith called for a return to trade talks.
- Aug 23 Negotiators met for a third day in Washington as the Saturday deadline approaches.
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