Latest news with #Skipp
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A major Canadian flag maker's sales have doubled from a year ago as tensions mount with U.S. — ‘The more Trump talks, the more flags we sell'
Canadian flag maker Flags Unlimited has doubled its sales in the past six weeks compared to the year before. Co-owner Matt Skipp said the demand boost is a result of a rise in Canadian patriotism in the wake of mounting tensions with the U.S. The blustery winter months are usually the slowest of the year for Flags Unlimited, which claims to be Canada's largest flag producer. In the past six weeks, however, sales are double what they were a year ago. The boost in demand for the maple leaf-stamped, red-and-white flag is a result of a surge in Canadian patriotism, according to Flags Unlimited co-owner Matt Skipp, fueled by tensions with the U.S., which have been stoked by President Donald Trump. 'This recent animosity, or negotiation, or Trump-talk has absolutely lit a fire under flag sales,' Skipp told Fortune. 'The more Trump talks, the more flags we sell.' The Barrie, Ontario-based company typically sells about 500,000 Canadian flags a year. Skipp predicts a 30% to 50% increase in total annual sales if demand continues at its current pace. Trump has ruffled Canadian feathers early in his second term. After initially introducing a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico at the beginning of the month, Trump delayed the implementation of the tax for 30 days, saying the countries had agreed to talks to increase border security. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for a retaliatory tariff on some American goods—like orange juice, toilets, and some steel products—whenever Trump decides to reintroduce the levy. Trump also doubled down this week on calls for Canada to become the U.S.'s '51st state', claiming the U.S. loses $200 billion per year to its northern neighbor. The Trump-Vance transition team previously attributed the figure to U.S. defense spending, which benefits Canada, and the trade deficit of $67.9 billion dollars between the two countries—much of which comes from the U.S.'s reliance on Canadian oil. Trudeau rebutted that the U.S. proposals to annex Canada came from the desire for its natural resources. The White House did not respond to Fortune's request for comment. Canadians have made their discontent with Trump's proposals known. Hockey fans in Montreal booed the U.S. national anthem before America faced off against Finland in game one of the 4 Nations Face-Off Thursday, while remaining silent for Finland's anthem. Last week, Toronto Raptors fans likewise booed during the 'Star-Spangled Banner' ahead of their NBA team's victory over the New York Knicks. The influx of Canadian pride has meant Flags Unlimited has had to adapt to the influx in demand, Skipp said. The company is considering adding extra shifts for its 50 full-time employees. 'We're kind of concerned about our ability to keep up for the first time ever,' he said. 'We're just getting inundated.' The eagerness to show love for Canada may be coming at the expense of demand for American goods. In response to the rising tensions between the North American neighbors, Canadians have begun boycotting American products and have refused to travel across the border to support U.S. tourism. 'Now is the time to choose Canada,' Trudeau said on Feb. 2 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 travel boycott could take a toll on U.S. industries. According to the U.S. Travel Association, a 10% loss in travelers from Canada could mean 2 million fewer visits and an estimated $2.1 billion loss for the travel and hospitality industries. Other Canadian consumers are avoiding American produce in grocery stores, ditching California fruits for local fare and drinking Canadian whisky instead of Kentucky bourbon. 'The rhetoric about tariffs, the mockery of our prime minister, and the musing about us becoming the 51st state, that did it for all of us,' one boycotting Ontarian told CNN Travel earlier this month. 'Everyone was in agreement that we're not going [to the U.S.]. We're going to keep our money in our own country.' This story was originally featured on
CBC
14-02-2025
- Business
- CBC
This Ontario flagmaker says Canadian flag sales have doubled amid U.S. tensions
Social Sharing Flags Unlimited's sales of Canadian flags have doubled from a year earlier, the Ontario company's owners said, as tensions with the United States fuel a wave of patriotism. The increase in sales comes ahead of Canada's national flag day on Sunday, marking the 60th anniversary of the red and white maple leaf banner's debut in Ottawa. Matt Skipp, co-owner of Flags Unlimited in Barrie, north of Toronto, attributes the spike in demand to threats from U.S. President Donald Trump over Canadian sovereignty. "It's a direct response to the political climate, with Canadians rallying behind their flag as a symbol of unity," Skipp said. Canadian politicians have called on citizens to display the national flag this weekend to demonstrate that unity and their national pride. Canadians have cancelled trips south of the border, boycotted U.S. alcohol and other products and even booed at sporting events after Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on most of Canada's goods on Feb. 3, though he has since delayed them. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a room of business leaders last week that he thought Trump's talk about absorbing Canada as the 51st U.S. state "is a real thing" and is linked to the country's rich natural resources, a government source said. WATCH | Flag Day in Canada has renewed importance this year: When the Maple Leaf debuted on Canada's flag 2 hours ago Duration 0:43 Flag Day in Canada is taking a renewed importance this year amid U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated calls to annex Canada and turn it into the '51st state.' 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 Canadian flag on Wednesday. Allen said he opposed U.S. tariffs, due to concerns about the 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," Allen said. "It's hard to understand why we're being attacked."
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Canadian flag sales surge after Trump threats
By Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo BARRIE, Ontario - Canadian flagmaker Flags Unlimited's sales have doubled from a year earlier, the company's owners said, as tensions with the neighboring United States fuel a wave of patriotism. The increase in sales comes ahead of Canada's national flag day on February 15, marking the 60th anniversary of the red and white maple leaf banner's debut in Ottawa. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Matt Skipp, co-owner of Flags Unlimited in Barrie, north of Toronto, attributes the spike in demand to threats from U.S. President Donald Trump over Canadian sovereignty. "It's a direct response to the political climate, with Canadians rallying behind their flag as a symbol of unity," Skipp said. Canadian politicians have called on citizens to display the national flag this weekend to demonstrate that unity and their national pride. Canadians have canceled trips south of the border, boycotted U.S. alcohol and other products and even booed at sporting events after Trump announced 25% tariffs on most of Canada's goods on February 3, though he has since delayed the tariffs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week told a room of business leaders he thought Trump's talk about absorbing Canada as the 51st U.S. state "is a real thing" and is linked to the country's rich natural resources, a government source said. 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. Allen said he opposed U.S. tariffs, due to concerns about the 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.
Asharq Al-Awsat
14-02-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Canadian Flag Sales Surge after Trump Threats
Canadian flagmaker Flags Unlimited's sales have doubled from a year earlier, the company's owners said, as tensions with the neighboring United States fuel a wave of patriotism. The increase in sales comes ahead of Canada's national flag day on February 15, marking the 60th anniversary of the red and white maple leaf banner's debut in Ottawa. Matt Skipp, co-owner of Flags Unlimited in Barrie, north of Toronto, attributes the spike in demand to threats from US President Donald Trump over Canadian sovereignty. "It's a direct response to the political climate, with Canadians rallying behind their flag as a symbol of unity," Skipp said. Canadian politicians have called on citizens to display the national flag this weekend to demonstrate that unity and their national pride. Canadians have canceled trips south of the border, boycotted US products and even booed at sporting events after Trump announced 25% tariffs on most of Canada's goods on February 3, though he has since delayed the tariffs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week told a room of business leaders he thought Trump's talk about absorbing Canada as the 51st US state "is a real thing" and is linked to the country's rich natural resources, a government source said. 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. Allen said he opposed US tariffs, due to concerns about the 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.
Reuters
14-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Canadian flag sales surge after Trump threats
BARRIE, Ontario, Feb 14 - Canadian flagmaker Flags Unlimited's sales have doubled from a year earlier, the company's owners said, as tensions with the neighboring United States fuel a wave of patriotism. The increase in sales comes ahead of Canada's national flag day on February 15, marking the 60th anniversary of the red and white maple leaf banner's debut in Ottawa. Matt Skipp, co-owner of Flags Unlimited in Barrie, north of Toronto, attributes the spike in demand to threats from U.S. President Donald Trump over Canadian sovereignty. "It's a direct response to the political climate, with Canadians rallying behind their flag as a symbol of unity," Skipp said. Canadian politicians have called on citizens to display the national flag this weekend to demonstrate that unity and their national pride. Canadians have canceled trips south of the border, boycotted U.S. alcohol and other products and even booed at sporting events after Trump announced 25% tariffs on most of Canada's goods on February 3, though he has since delayed the tariffs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week told a room of business leaders he thought Trump's talk about absorbing Canada as the 51st U.S. state " is a real thing" and is linked to the country's rich natural resources, a government source said. 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. Allen said he opposed U.S. tariffs, due to concerns about the 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.
