
- devara
- 13 Mar 2025 09:01 AM
- #Business #Trump Tariffs #Boycott USA #Trade War 2025 #US-Canada Tensions #Tesla Sales Drop
The "Boycott USA" movement is gaining momentum globally in response to Donald Trump's tariffs imposed on Canada, Mexico, and China, which have ignited trade wars and fueled resentment towards American goods. The backlash, which has been rapidly spreading across social media platforms, reflects growing dissatisfaction with Trump's economic policies and international relations. In the past week alone, Google searches for “Boycott USA” have surged, with European countries and Canada ranking highest. Dedicated Facebook groups have emerged across various countries, promoting campaigns to discourage the purchase of American-made products. The movement has highlighted rising frustration with Trump's aggressive trade policies and controversial political decisions.
One key factor driving this movement is Trump's contentious attempt to gain control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. This move angered Denmark, leading to a "Boycott USA" Facebook group with over 73,000 members, second only to Luxembourg in search volume. In Sweden, another Facebook group supporting the boycott has gained 80,000 members, labeling social media as the “best weapon” in their fight against US imports. Meanwhile, in France, a group titled "BOYCOTT USA: Buy French and European!" has attracted 20,000 members, actively promoting alternatives to American brands.
Even Canada, one of the US’s closest allies, has seen significant participation in the boycott movement. The campaign ranked fifth on Google’s “Boycott USA” search trends. Symbolic protests, such as the rising popularity of "Canada is not for sale" hats, have added momentum to the campaign. Prominent figures, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, have openly opposed American economic influence, notably canceling a $100 million contract with Elon Musk’s Starlink in response to US tariffs. The economic backlash has escalated further with several Canadian provinces removing American-made alcohol from their shelves. Lawson Whiting, CEO of Brown-Forman, the company behind Jack Daniel's, condemned this move, calling it "worse than tariffs" and a disproportionate response to US trade policies.
“I mean, that's worse than a tariff because it's literally taking your sales away, completely removing our products from the shelves,” Whiting said in a statement. Consumer trends have also shifted dramatically in Canada, where a recent survey involving 3,310 participants revealed that 98% of respondents now actively seek ‘Made in Canada’ products while shopping. The impact of this movement is also evident in the travel industry. According to the U.S. Travel Association, a 10% decline in Canadian travel to the US could result in $2.1 billion in lost spending and potentially cause 14,000 job losses. Reports indicate that Canadian road trips to the US fell by 23% in the past month compared to the same period last year.
The movement has also struck a significant blow to Tesla, with sharp sales declines across key global markets. In Germany, where Musk's perceived support for a far-right political party fueled further backlash, Tesla sales reportedly dropped nearly 70% in January 2025 compared to the same month last year. According to Time Magazine, Tesla’s European sales in January totaled 7,517 vehicles, nearly half of what was sold the previous year. In addition, Tesla sales plummeted by 50% in Portugal, 45% in France, 42% in Sweden, and 48% in Norway, further illustrating the widespread impact of anti-US sentiment. In response to the growing backlash, Trump posted on Truth Social, stating, "Radical Left Lunatics, as they often do, are trying to illegally and collusively boycott Tesla." As global frustration intensifies, the "Boycott USA" movement continues to gather momentum, impacting US businesses, trade relations, and consumer behavior worldwide. With Trump’s controversial trade strategies fueling economic tension, the long-term consequences on American exports and diplomatic ties remain uncertain.