Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson says it would be hypocritical of him to attend a lavish Fourth of July party while U.S. President Donald Trump slaps punishing tariffs on Canada.

So this year, Watson politely declined an invitation from the U.S. ambassador.

鈥淚鈥檓 tired, like a lot of other Canadians, of the constant chirping and attacks of the president, whether it鈥檚 against the prime minister, against our steel workers, aluminum, cars, dairy products,鈥� Watson told CTV鈥檚 Power Play on Thursday.

鈥淎nd I think it sends a symbolic signal that I鈥檓 not interested in supporting an administration that is constantly attacking our economy.鈥�

The annual event, held at the U.S. ambassador鈥檚 residence in Ottawa鈥檚 swanky Rockcliffe Park neighbourhood, is a gathering of the city鈥檚 political elite. American beer sponsors, antique cars and plenty of stars and stripes are a common fixture.

Watson has attended the party in past years. But this year鈥檚 event, which takes place just three days after Canada applies its own retaliatory tariffs on the U.S., is different.

鈥淎lmost every rally now, Donald Trump attacks Canada. We鈥檙e their closest neighbour, their biggest trading partner. We get along, we welcome Americans here, Canadians are welcome in the United States. But it鈥檚 the administration that鈥檚 constantly barraging us with this kind of puerile attitude that is hurting our economy.鈥�

Watson insists his gesture is one of principle, and he doesn鈥檛 expect it will ruffle too many feathers.

鈥淎t the end of the day, I鈥檓 realistic. I don鈥檛 think anyone is losing any sleep over the fact that the mayor of Ottawa 鈥� maybe if it was the mayor of Toronto,鈥� he said.

鈥淚鈥檓 not expecting this to create the kind of waves that are going to make any big difference. But I just think, on a principled stand, I have real difficulties with the way the Americans are treating our country and our people and our government. And I don鈥檛 want to be a part of a celebration of their country鈥檚 anniversary.鈥�

Watson鈥檚 decision has been met largely with praise, with plenty of Twitter users commending him for taking a stand.