Canadians boycott US goods over Trump trade

More than 3,500 Canadians have detailed their personal boycotts of American goods and services to the Guardian. The widespread action is a direct response to former President Donald Trump's trade policies and political threats, which escalated this week with new 50% tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has vowed to match the tariffs "dollar for dollar." This follows the collapse of trade talks last weekend and a retaliatory order from Trump to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America. The animosity has fueled a consumer movement that began early last year.

A new way of living

Respondents from across Canada described deep anger and a resolute shift in their daily habits. Buying only Canadian groceries and fresh produce is common. Many have stopped traveling to the United States.

They are also boycotting a wide range of US products and services. The list includes technology, streaming platforms, vehicles, alcohol, and social media sites.

A July survey by Angus Reid found 40% of Canadian grocery shoppers actively check product origins, with most avoiding US items when possible.

Personal costs and convictions

For individuals, the boycott carries a financial and practical burden. William McDonald, a 38-year-old diesel mechanic from Thunder Bay, Ontario, said avoiding American products has driven his costs up. He spends an extra C$1,000 annually on Canadian beer and about C$50 more per week on groceries.

"I'm still happy to do it," McDonald told the Guardian. He likened Trump's behavior to that of a "schoolyard bully."

Elizabeth Lorenz, a 68-year-old retired teacher in Nanaimo, British Columbia, reads labels meticulously. "If it's made in the US, I don't buy it," she said. She has planted yams and sweet potatoes in her garden since only American-grown versions are available in stores.

Her environmental concerns are overridden by her outrage. "My outrage at America's greed and corruption trumps my environmental concerns," Lorenz stated, acknowledging the pun.

Adapting with technology and community

Many boycotters rely on digital tools to find Canadian alternatives. Jane, a 54-year-old teacher from Camlachie, Ontario, uses apps like CanMade, Buy Beaver, and O SCANada, as well as the website madeinca.ca. She said checking a product's origin has become second nature.

James Buchan, a 36-year-old IT worker from Halifax, Nova Scotia, sold all his Apple products. He replaced them with alternatives and switched to European-based email and app providers. "Tech was the easiest," he said. "I do not miss my iPhone or Mac at all."

For Kurt, a 61-year-old retired engineer in Calgary, Alberta, the boycott transformed his whiskey-tasting group. They previously spent around US$10,000 annually on American whiskeys. Since the tariffs began, they have spent nothing, discovering a new range of Canadian equivalents.

"We've got no intention of ever going back," Kurt said. He and his wife, frequent US visitors for over 30 years, have not traveled there since January 2025.

A fractured relationship

A common sentiment among those who contacted the Guardian is that trust with the United States has been broken irrevocably. Jane, the teacher, believes the relationship has been "permanently tarnished."

Sarika, a 61-year-old academic in Vancouver, said she will not return to buying US products even if the political regime changes. "The US is unreliable and untrustworthy," she stated.

Vikram, a 51-year-old finance worker in Toronto, refuses to travel to the US despite having family there. "I find it quite sad that Canadians are forced to do this," he said, reflecting on the protest against threats to Canadian sovereignty.

Despite the sadness, some see a potential silver lining. Kurt sounded a note of quiet optimism. He believes Canada will ultimately emerge stronger. William McDonald also noted a unifying effect. "After years of internal division in our country, it's nice to finally see so many people united," he said.