In brief
Recent acts of vandalism target Tesla vehicles in Canada as frustration mounts over U.S.-Canada trade disputes.
On March 20, 2025, amidst escalating trade tensions between Canada and the U.S., more than 80 Tesla vehicles were vandalized in Hamilton, Ontario, marking a significant moment in the public's growing discontent with the American electric car company owned by Elon Musk. The damage included punctured tires and scratched bodies, stemming from a wider pattern of protests against Tesla and Musk's perceived alignment with U.S. policies under President Trump.Elon Musk's controversial comments about Canada, including dismissing it as “not a real country,” have ignited outrage among Canadians. This anger is compounded by the ongoing trade war spurred by President Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods and retaliatory measures from Canada targeting U.S. exports. Canadians feel the effects of these economic policies keenly, prompting them to rethink their shopping and travel habits and how they engage with their southern neighbor.This sentiment has led to grassroots protests, with notable even discontent directed at Canadian sports icon Wayne Gretzky, criticized for his silence as Musk and Trump reshape their political landscapes. In a direct action, climate activists from Last Generation Canada spray-painted a Tesla dealership in Montreal, decrying Musk's influence on democratic processes and climate action. In response to the public outcry, Tesla has experienced significant social fallout. Notably, a major auto show in Vancouver excluded Tesla to keep the focus on positive elements of the automotive experience as tensions remain high. Furthermore, Ontario moved to cancel a substantial contract with Musk's Starlink company, further illustrating the fallout from increasing animosity towards the billionaire.A petition to strip Musk of his Canadian citizenship has garnered over 376,000 signatures, reflecting widespread demands for accountability from a figure deemed emblematic of current political tensions. With protests escalating, Tesla's foothold in Canada is increasingly challenged as public sentiment continues to shift against the backdrop of the ongoing trade skirmishes with the United States.
