Trump effect? Why are Canadians buying more flags than ever?

Canadian flag manufacturers have reported a dramatic increase in sales, with demand nearly doubling compared to the previous year. The spike comes in response to escalating tensions with the United States, as many Canadians embrace national symbols to express their patriotism.

Flags Unlimited, a leading flag producer based in Barrie, Ontario, has been experiencing an unprecedented surge in sales. “It’s a direct response to the political climate, with Canadians rallying behind their flag as a symbol of unity,” Matt Skipp, co-owner of Flags Unlimited told Reuters.

The company, which typically produces over 500,000 flags annually, is now considering additional shifts and sourcing extra materials to keep up with demand.

Canadian politicians have also encouraged citizens to display the national flag as a gesture of unity and national pride amid the ongoing trade disputes with the US.

The increased sales also came as Canada prepared to celebrate National Flag Day which took place on February 15, marking the 60th anniversary of the iconic red-and-white maple leaf flag’s introduction in Ottawa.

Behind the surge in demand for Canadian flags

The surge in demand for Canadian flags follows US President Donald Trump’s recent imposition of a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods , a move that initially caused widespread outrage before being temporarily postponed.

The tariffs have impacted several industries, particularly the auto sector, which is highly integrated between the two countries. Many Canadian workers fear job losses and economic instability due to the potential cost increases imposed by these trade policies.

Trump has also intensified tensions by suggesting that Canada could become the “51st state” of the US, claiming that the country benefits disproportionately from trade and American defense spending.

His administration has cited a $67.9 billion trade deficit with Canada and the US’s reliance on Canadian oil as key issues.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pushed back against these remarks, stating that the annexation rhetoric stems from the US’s interest in Canada’s rich natural resources.

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Trudeau told a room of business leaders, according to Reuters, that Trump’s talk about absorbing Canada as the 51st state “is a real thing.”

The Canadian government has responded with calls for retaliatory tariffs on US goods , including orange juice, toilets, and steel products, if Trump decides to reintroduce the levies. Amid this economic uncertainty, Canadians have demonstrated their defiance through consumer choices and public displays of nationalism.

American support for Canadian symbols

Interestingly, the increase in Canadian flag sales has not been limited to domestic buyers. Some American consumers, particularly in states like Washington, have been purchasing Canadian flags to show solidarity with their northern neighbours.

“We’ve had a lot of Americans calling from Washington State, actually requesting the Canadian flag,” Julia Izadi of Flying Colours International, another prominent flag manufacturer, told Vancouver Sun.

“I guess to show their support of Canadians. It’s been really nice to see, especially with what’s going on with the tariffs, or lack thereof, to see their support and them wanting to fly the Canada flag.”

Flying Colours International, a 115-year-old Canadian company that recently took over Vancouver’s Flag Shop in 2024, produces approximately one million flags annually, reported Vancouver Sun.

The company has reported a 50 per cent increase in sales, with estimates suggesting that demand could push their annual totals even higher. While they manufacture a variety of flags, including provincial and custom banners, the Canadian flag remains their best-selling item.

Wider impact of Trump in Canada

The trade tensions have led many Canadians to alter their spending habits . Some are boycotting US products, opting for locally sourced alternatives instead.

Grocery shoppers have started replacing American produce with domestic options, choosing Canadian-grown fruits and vegetables over imports from California. Similarly, liquor stores have reported increased sales of Canadian whisky over Kentucky bourbon.

Travel to the US has also been impacted, with many Canadians cancelling trips in favour of domestic vacations. Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau has encouraged this trend, urging citizens to explore Canada’s national and provincial parks, historical sites, and tourist destinations.

“Now is the time to choose Canada,” Trudeau said following the announcement of Trump’s tariffs. “It might mean changing your summer vacation plans to stay here in Canada and explore the many national and provincial parks, historical sites, and tourist destinations our great country has to offer.”

The US Travel Association estimates that a 10 per cent drop in Canadian visitors could result in two million fewer trips and a $2.1 billion loss for American tourism and hospitality industries, reported Fortune.

Canadian flags everywhere

The heightened sense of national pride has extended to sports and public events. Hockey fans in Montreal recently booed the US national anthem before a game between the US and Finland in the 4 Nations Face-Off, while remaining silent for Finland’s anthem.

A similar incident occurred at a Toronto Raptors game, where fans booed during the “Star-Spangled Banner” ahead of a victory against the New York Knicks.

Flag manufacturers have struggled to keep up with the sudden demand. Skipp of Flags Unlimited noted that for the first time, the company is worried about its ability to meet orders. “We’re kind of concerned about our ability to keep up for the first time ever,” he told Fortune. “We’re just getting inundated.”

Flying Colours International has also seen an increase in requests for unique flag designs, including one featuring Indigenous motifs and another with Kwakwaka’wakw elements designed by First Nations artist Lou-Ann Neel, reported Vancouver Sun. Both designs have been gaining popularity, with around 2,500 copies of each produced annually.

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With inputs from agencies