Trump riles up America’s nicest neighbors

By Mickey Djuric | 02/04/2025 01:17 PM EST

Even with a tariff deadline reprieve, boo-birds and Canadian snowbirds are trading notes on small acts of patriotism in the face of U.S. bullying.

People shop in a grocery store in Toronto, Canada.

Ordinary Canadians have been returning U.S. products to stores, canceling Netflix subscriptions and checking labels in the grocery store. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

OTTAWA — Facing a devastating trade war, Canadians have been canceling on Arizona, bypassing Florida oranges at the grocery store and booing at top volume through the U.S. anthem at the start of NBA and NHL games.

“We have a reputation for being chill, relaxed, kind of an easy going country,” British Columbia Premier David Eby told reporters on Monday morning. “You want to see Canadians get their back up and get things done? Then threaten their sovereignty.”

U.S. President Donald Trump did just that on Monday afternoon in the Oval Office, repeating how he’d like Canada to become a 51st state. While few Canadians understand the president’s desire to punish Canada with 25 percent tariffs, they’ve come to appreciate that it’s all very serious.

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So while Canada’s top ministers threatened retaliation and ultimately earned a 30-day reprieve from Trump, ordinary Canadians have been trading notes on random acts of patriotism — returning U.S. products to stores, canceling Netflix subscriptions and announcing plans to avoid American food chains. On X, #BOYCOTTUSA has trended for days.

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