Canadian flag sales surge after Trump threats
BARRIE, Ontario—As Canada celebrates national flag day on Saturday, owners of company Flags Unlimited point out that sales have now doubled after tensions with neighboring United States had fueled a wave of patriotism.
“It’s a direct response to the political climate, with Canadians rallying behind their flag as a symbol of unity,” said Matt Skipp, co-owner of the flagmaker based in this city north of Toronto.
Canadian politicians have called on citizens to display the national flag, ahead of the 60th anniversary of the Feb. 15 debut of the red-and-white maple-leaf banner in Ottawa.
According to a government source, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told business leaders last week he thought of Donald Trump’s talk about absorbing Canada as the 51st U.S. state as “a real thing” that may also have to do with the country’s rich natural resources.
Demand for flags
Meanwhile Canadians have canceled trips south of the border, boycotted US alcohol and other products and even booed at sporting events, after the US President on Feb. 3 announced 25 percent tariffs on most Canada’s goods—although he has since delayed the tariffs.
Flags Unlimited, which produces more than 500,000 flags annually, is considering additional shifts and sourcing extra materials to meet the surge in demand, Skipp said.
The company manufactures and assembles the flags in Ontario, though it imports some of its materials from overseas.
Mike Allen, who works in the auto parts industry, visited the store to buy a flag on Wednesday. He said he opposes US tariffs due to concerns about their direct impact on his job.
The auto industry in North America is highly integrated, and companies have warned that tariffs would also raise costs for Americans.
“We’re not the enemy. It’s hard to understand why we’re being attacked,” Allen said.
