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“Since Donald Trump began issuing tariff threats against Canada and joking about making Canada the 51st state, I have completely stopped buying any products from the US,” stated Lynne Allardice, a 78-year-old retired business owner from New Brunswick, Canada.
“Not even a single lettuce leaf or piece of fruit. I’ve become very vigilant about checking labels and follow an ‘anywhere but the US’ policy while shopping. I won’t travel to the States as long as Trump remains in office, and it seems most of my friends feel the same way.”
She noted that many acquaintances were opting to sell vacation properties they had owned in the US for years.
A boycott against US wine is being promoted in a liquor store in Montreal, Canada. (Photo: Andrej Ivanov/AFP)
The response among Canadians to President Trump’s economic tariffs and contentious political rhetoric has resulted in a widespread consumer boycott of American products and services. This includes a shift away from California wines and American bourbon, a preference for local shopping over Amazon, a pivot to Canadian cable and streaming options instead of Netflix and Spotify, and a decision to spend vacation time in local destinations like the Kootenays instead of Disney World.
Many Canadians shared their feelings of defiance and frustration regarding what they perceive as a less-than-friendly US government, detailing how this sentiment has impacted their personal choices. Numerous individuals vowed to refrain from purchasing American goods or traveling south of the border, at least until Trump’s presidency concludes.
Pam, a 64-year-old retiree from British Columbia, shared that she and her husband had to cancel a planned five-week trip to Palm Springs, which cost them a $5,000 deposit. They decided to prioritize buying a Honda truck over a Ford.
Shoppers reported that their local grocery stores prominently display Canadian product labels, and many are willing to pay significantly more for non-US goods, such as paying 50% more for Mexican lemons. Others expressed hope that Canadian businesses would expand their offerings after abandoning their Amazon Prime and streaming subscriptions.
A woman from British Columbia, living just a short drive from the US border, mentioned the irony of joining multiple Facebook groups advocating for “Buy Canadian” campaigns, one of which has grown to an impressive 1.2 million members.
In a context filled with fiery commitments to challenge the US government, many Canadians expressed serious concerns about the effects of tariffs on their finances.
Some voiced apprehension regarding their retirement savings, highlighting market fluctuations and economic uncertainty they attributed to what they referred to as “Trump’s economic warfare.”
A significant number reported hiring freezes and budget cuts within their employers, while various business owners pointed out a decrease in sales since Trump’s election—a trend they expect to worsen.
Workers in a wide array of industries—including hospitality, retail, manufacturing, and agriculture—voiced worries about the tariffs wreaking havoc on their fields. Ian Hallett, an architectural firm owner in Seaforth, Ontario, stated, “The construction industry will be hit hard by the steel, wood, and aluminum tariffs, leading to a slowdown in projects and potential layoffs.”
A Calgary landscaping business owner noted his sector could face severe challenges as homeowners may cut back on expenditures for lawn maintenance. “I may have to reduce my staff and possibly end the season early; this will create a chain reaction,” he explained.
Adrian, a Northern Ontario business owner, remarked, “The tariffs have brought chaos, anxiety, and a sense of hopelessness. If they remain in force, I will have to close my business since US customers account for half of my sales.”
Concerns about job loss were echoed by a 65-year-old support worker from Toronto, who worried for her husband’s position in manufacturing, citing rising costs due to tariffs. “The materials produced by his company might become too expensive,” she lamented.
Many business owners expressed skepticism about offsetting US sales losses with exports to Europe or other regions, which they deemed either saturated or too costly to ship to.
“I’m concerned about my investments and the fluctuating financial markets, along with the rising costs of goods,” said Susan, an accountant from Toronto, a sentiment that resonated widely.
While Trump’s protectionist policies sparked outrage among many Canadians, a notable segment of the population exhibited a growing inclination towards a more isolationist stance for Canada itself.
“I believe we should take a cue from Trump and consider building our own wall to keep the US at bay,” remarked a 56-year-old single mother from Montreal. Many voiced a belief that Canada needed to boost its military capabilities.
Sarah from Nova Scotia commented that Trump’s tactics, alongside “threats to our sovereignty, resources, and territory” have galvanized people to seek greater self-reliance and reduce economic integration with the US.
Antoine Delorme, a 43-year-old mechanic from Montreal, criticized globalization for exposing Canada’s vulnerabilities. He stated, “With free trade, we lost a lot of economic independence. Many distributors have centralized operations south of the border and no longer keep Canadian facilities.” He shared concerns that if the US becomes a hostile neighbor, Canada could be left without allies.
A retired journalist from Ontario, Jean Whieldon, voiced concern regarding Canada’s heavy dependency on the US—recognizing it as a legitimate point made by Trump. “If international relationships falter, what support can we expect from NATO or the UK?” she questioned.
Many expressed frustration over perceived indifference from allied nations, particularly highlighting a lack of supportive response from British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and King Charles.
“Canada’s relationship with the world has changed irrevocably,” said Katy, a finance professional in Toronto. “We’ve come to realize that allies may not be as steadfast as we once believed. In the face of the MAGA onslaught, our allies, including Britain, remain silent.”
Katy suggested that Canada should consider stepping back from international alliances, noting its abundance of natural resources. “If the situation doesn’t change, Canada should explore becoming a neutral nation,” she affirmed, advocating for the dismantling of the constitutional monarchy.
An awakening sense of patriotism is evident among many Canadians, with national pride rising in response to the turmoil.
“Canadians are exhibiting a newfound nationalism,” observed a woman from Ontario. “Some of us have taken to booing the US national anthem at hockey games, which is quite uncharacteristic for Canadians. We are seething about the tariffs that threaten Canadian businesses.”
Donna, a retiree from British Columbia, remarked on the increase in visible Canadian flags, stating, “We’ve lost our faith in the US as a friendly entity. It’s unprecedented to see such national pride when patriotism was never a focal point here.”
A tech worker in her 40s from British Columbia noted a collective sense of national unity, observing increased engagement to strengthen Canada. “I’ve completely severed ties with the US,” she added.
“This is an unprecedented shift unlike anything seen in my lifetime,” one observer reflected. “Canada is distancing itself from the US—whether temporarily or permanently, it’s hard to predict.”
While some individuals maintained a distinction between the actions of the Trump administration and the American populace, many expressed personal resentment towards American citizens, desiring to demonstrate their displeasure to their “misguided neighbors,” as articulated by one British Columbia resident.
Political tensions have driven a wedge between many Canadians and their American friends and relatives, as disagreements over governance and ideology sparked discord.
In a twist to the ongoing economic challenges, several Canadians noted a surge in initiatives aimed at enhancing trade within Canada, pointing to a silver lining amid the upheaval.
Matt, a 41-year-old university employee from Vancouver Island, commented that “Having a shared adversary in the US is fostering a sense of unity that was virtually unattainable a year ago. The momentum to dismantle inter-provincial trade barriers, potentially adding significantly to our national economy, wouldn’t have been possible without this external pressure.”
The prevailing sentiment among many Canadians is that their relationship with the United States is irrevocably altered.
“The bond is broken,” stated Lynne Allardice. “An overwhelming number of Canadians now harbor negative feelings towards the US. How can we maintain good relations with a neighbor that poses economic threats and makes light of our situation?”
Source
www.theguardian.com