In order to resist U.S. President Donald Trump’s foreign policy, there are boycotts of U.S. and U.S. companies around the world, including in Latin America and Europe. On the 8th, the BBC and other foreign media reported that the boycott of U.S. products is intensifying in Canada in response to the Trump administration’s tariff policy. In addition to consumer boycotts, state governments and companies are also reported to stop selling U.S. products or cancel contracts with U.S. companies.
Governor Doug Ford of Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, ordered the removal of U.S. alcoholic beverages from all stores in the province on the 4th. Quebec, Manitoba, and British Columbia also ordered the suspension of the sale of U.S. alcoholic beverages in stores and restaurants. Adding the population of the four provinces is about 30 million, or 75% of Canada’s population.
In addition, Gov. Ford also announced that it will withdraw the C$100 million contract signed with SpaceX, which is run by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, President Trump’s “first buddy.” He also warned that Washington will impose a 25 percent export tax on electricity to 1.5 million households in New York, Michigan, and Minnesota. Some cafes in Canada are participating in the boycott by changing the name of “americano” to “Canadiano.” Prime Minister Trudeau also urged people to buy products from the country, saying, “Choose Canadian products.”
Along with Canada, U.S. boycotts are spreading to Mexico, which is subject to 25% tariffs, as well as other Latin American countries and Europe. In particular, European countries are reportedly boycotting the Trump administration’s decision to suspend aid to Ukraine as well as its tariff policy.
In Denmark, Sweden and France, people flocked to Facebook pages encouraging U.S. boycotts. The pages share a list of U.S.-made boycotts and suggest purchasing alternatives. In France, “Braise Cola” instead of Coca-Cola, “Burger Quick” instead of McDonald’s, and “Colombus Cafe” instead of Starbucks have emerged as alternatives. Anti-Tesla rallies were held and boycotts were held in Europe. The spread of antipathy against Musk, who became the head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is interpreted as the main reason for the boycott. In particular, after Musk publicly supported the “Alternative for Germany (AfD), a far-right political party, at the general elections in Germany on the 23rd of last month, boycott of Tesla has intensified in Germany. According to the German Federal Automobile Transportation Agency’s tally on the 5th, the number of new Tesla vehicles registered last month fell 76% year-on-year to 1,429 units. On the other hand, the total number of electric vehicle registrations in Germany increased 31% during the same period.
However, some are concerned about the side effects of the boycott. The economic impact of the boycott on U.S. companies is uncertain, but retailers that have already imported U.S. products will be hit hard. The New York Post also reported that the number of cases where U.S. products are being deceived as “Canadian” to sell U.S. inventory accumulated by the boycott at Canadian marts is increasing rapidly.
SAM KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
