Canada and america share the world’s longest border at practically 9,000 kilometres. The international locations have interlinked economies and lots in widespread culturally.
Canada and america share the world’s longest border at practically 9,000 kilometres.
The international locations have interlinked economies and lots in widespread culturally. The Peace Arch, straddling British Columbia and Washington state, is supposed to symbolizes that friendship. The Peace Bridge, in the meantime, hyperlinks Ontario and New York state.
The previous couple of weeks have not felt all that peaceable.
U.S. President Donald Trump introduced crippling tariffs — a 30-day reprieve was negotiated Feb. 3 — and continues to muse about making America’s northern neighbour its 51st state.
Regardless of the pause on a blanket tariff on Canadian items, Trump mentioned on Sunday that he’ll formally announce 25 per cent tariffs on all metal and aluminum imports into the U.S. on Monday, together with these coming from Canada.
There have been, in fact, loads of disagreements and flashpoints prior to now. Away from the political area, that rivalry has maybe been the fiercest when the international locations’ athletes compete — particularly on the ice.
The 4 Nations Face-Off, a match involving NHL gamers and that includes the North American rivals, begins Wednesday in Montreal.
So what is going to the present unease and tit-for-tat threats imply for a matchup that already has loads of gas?
“Canadians are nationalistic and proud,” mentioned Daniel Rubenson, a political science professor at Toronto Metropolitan College. “They do not need to be advised they will be subsumed by one other nation. The possibilities are fairly slim, however that rhetoric places issues on edge.”
Canadian crowds booed the American anthem at each NHL and NBA video games in response to Trump’s tariff threats.
That development slowed after either side — Canada indicated it might reply with retaliatory tariffs if the U.S. adopted by means of — took a step again from the ledge. Followers in Halifax did not jeer the anthem forward of the international locations’ latest ladies’s Rivalry Collection hockey video games.
The gang in Montreal for a pair of Canadiens’ contests over the weekend have been largely respectful of the anthem.
However the metropolis, the place the Canadians and People sq. off Saturday in 4 Nations motion, has a historical past of booing The Star-Spangled Banner, together with in 2003 after the U.S. invaded Iraq.
“The political panorama is so unstable in america,” mentioned Amy Bass, a professor of sports activities research at Manhattanville College in Buy, N.Y. “Having a definitive thought of what this recreation goes to imply and the way it will go down … we do not know.”
Aaron Ettinger, an affiliate political science professor at Carleton College in Ottawa, mentioned nationalism is at all times the subtext of worldwide sports activities.
“That is what makes it enjoyable,” he mentioned. “It is our nation and our individuals towards your nation and your individuals.”
Ettinger, whose printed work contains the intersection of sports activities and politics, added pleasure can play a giant issue.
“Canadians like beating People at sports activities as a result of we’re probably not going to beat them at a lot else,” he mentioned. “This time round, there’s some actual stakes as a result of america and its president are (threatening) one thing dangerous to Canadian nationwide pursuits.”
Canada’s essential hockey rival was as soon as the Soviet Union. Russia picked up the banner, however the U.S. has nudged its method to the highest of the checklist over the past 30 years.
Canada hasn’t been unseated within the males’s recreation — at the very least not but. The ladies have gone forwards and backwards, whereas the People personal three of the final the world junior hockey championships.
“That is one place, possibly the one place, the place Canada has been the large brother,” Rubenson mentioned of the rink. “It has been straightforward for Canadians to be beneficiant towards People there.”
The rivalry has been robust but pleasant, he added, however the change in tone from the White Home would possibly sign a change in that relationship.
“Political and social points can spill over,” Rubenson mentioned.
Followers and politicians may get riled, however will the gamers really care?
Many Canadians swimsuit up for American-based groups. U.S. captain Auston Matthews, in the meantime, wears the ‘C’ for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“I do not know in the event that they dwell in the actual world,” Ettinger mentioned of NHL stars. “They typically dwell within the elite republic of hockey with out a lot sense of what is going on on in the actual world.”
Rubenson, whose specialization contains sports activities and politics, would not count on a lot change by way of the on-ice conflict.
“That rivalry is already tremendous intense,” he mentioned. “Hardcore followers do not want excuses. The media goes to drum this up and the followers are going to get riled up.
“Would possibly make for excellent environment — nothing improper with that.”
Whereas not a direct comparable or on the identical scale, Bass mentioned a Canadian victory on the 4 Nations may have a really feel north of the border just like the People’ conquer the Soviets — the “Miracle on Ice” — on the 1980 Olympics.
“It was a Chilly Battle victory,” she mentioned. “Has america change into the ‘huge dangerous’? Taking down america goes to really feel good for an entire new purpose.”
Ettinger mentioned that, in the long run, the present cooling of relations will not be a lot Canada versus U.S. as Canada versus Trump.
“People, usually, have very beneficial views of Canada,” he mentioned. “The financial relationship is very useful to each. It simply occurs to be that the man manning the White Home has actually antagonistic orientations in the direction of most international international locations.
“Particularly Canada.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Feb. 10, 2025.
Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
