Avoiding US goods and services – from tech to whisky to air travel – has forced many to find a new way of living
This week the US imposed 50% tariffs on US$20bn (£15bn) of Canadian goods, and Mark Carney, the country’s prime minister, has vowed to match them “dollar for dollar” after the collapse of trade talks between the two countries last weekend. Donald Trump retaliated on Thursday by ordering the federal government to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America.
Such actions have added fuel to a widespread boycott of US products and services by Canadians that began early last year in response to the president’s trade war and threats to annex his northern neighbour.
More than 3,500 people from across Canada shared with the Guardian via an online callout how they have made changes to their lives in response to the US administration’s political and economic stance. Many expressed deep anger and sadness, but remained resolute that this was now a new way of living.
I am hoping to hear from a real Canadian if this a common thing among Canadians or is it just a handful of people?
It’s a common topic of conversation in the grocery store aisles and in the coffee shops.
Nobody is happy about how Trump’s America is trying to fick over our country.
Dude, the American imported oranges have been going moldy on the grocery store shelves since Biden left office.
People will go hungry before they buy fascist.
I don’t think the USA would be bitching and moaning about Canadian tourists no longer visiting their shithole or Canadians not buying their alcohol if it were just a handful of people taking part in the boycott.
Another Canadian here and I’ll tell ya, buying American ain’t what it used to be. It’s not just a boycott, it’s straight up reputational ruination.
Adding my Canadian voice to the pile: it’s very real and common. It’s common enough that our biggest grocery chain has updated their labelling to be much clearer on the source of products
Québécois who did his groceries earlier today, here - 100% agree. Without going back to check I can tell you I intentionally didn’t buy grapes (“product of the United States”) but i did buy iceberg lettuce (from Quebec, incidentally for 1$) and red bell peppers (product of Canada). I bought onions (from Canada) but no berries (they were all from the US). Bought some “CARBS” sourdough crackers, too, Companys right here in Quebec!!
The grocery stores near me have big signs with Canadian flags on, marking some shelves as all Canadian. They wouldn’t bother if they didn’t think it would help sales.
Canadian here. Everyone I know is trying to avoid American products when we can. My parents switched from orange juice to apple juice for breakfast. People buy produce from Mexico to avoid American, enough that supermarkets try harder at sourcing outside the US wherever possible.