A new trade dispute has escalated between the U.S. and Canada, with American officials threatening tariffs on Canadian-made hockey equipment unless Ottawa backs down on a long-running dispute over softwood lumber. The move marks an unusual front in the broader trade tensions sparked by U.S. policies, testing Canada’s willingness to challenge retaliatory measures. Industry experts warn that targeting hockey gear—a symbol of national identity—could provoke sharp backlash from Canadians and sports fans alike. The dispute highlights how even niche trade conflicts can become politically charged in an era of heightened economic nationalism.

How to lose Trump’s trade war: test Canada’s resolve with threats to hockey sticks  The Guardian