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 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.
Crown Royal seems to have recently been doing a big advert push in the US. Bold choice, especially assuming no exception to the tariffs. But ya know, they might be “unenforceable” retroactively and give businesses another huge refund.
I don’t blame anyone for avoiding this place. It blows my mind how comfortable people from the US are leaving for vacation and having to deal with coming back in. It’s been proven it doesn’t matter if you’re a citizen or not.