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U.S. President Donald Trump on Jan. 31, 2025. Image: C-SPAN video capture

Tensions at ‘all-time high’ between Canada, U.S.; poli-sci professor

By Kevin Northup Feb 5, 2025 | 9:48 AM

Tensions are at an all-time high between Canada and the United States.

The threat of 25 percent tariffs remains after President Donald Trump delayed them until March.

Political scientist Dr. Asa McKercher says it’s created some anger among Canadians.

“People at the grocery store talking about how they wouldn’t buy American products, and of course people booing the American national anthem,” said Dr. McKercher.

He says Canadians may be feeling a sense of betrayal because of a positive history in helping one another after disasters.

Recently, Canada sent firefighters to help with wildfires in Los Angeles, and it even goes back to the Halifax Explosion when Boston sent aid.

McKercher adds Trump is going out of his way to put economic pressure on Canada.

“I don’t think Canadians are taking very kindly to that. Very few Canadians are saying Donald Trump is right, and the threat of these tariffs seems to be a bit unfair, as well as lumping us in with China and Mexico.”

McKercher says the last time there was anthem booing was in 2003, when Canada didn’t take part in the American invasion of Iraq.

He says he hopes some of the things Canadians are doing at the border will ease the bad blood between the countries, and lead to tariffs being scrapped.

“Tariffs would be economically devastating for Canada,” added McKercher.