As the trade dispute between the United States and Canada deepens, a growing number of Canadians are avoiding American products and trips to the U.S. Consumers are turning to domestic goods or scrapping travel plans, channeling their resentment toward the administration of President Donald Trump into spending decisions.
According to a recent report by The Washington Post, a voluntary boycott of American goods has continued among Canadians angered by the Trump administration's hard-line trade policies and remarks suggesting Canada could become the 51st U.S. state.
The backlash has surfaced in everyday consumer culture as well. Early last year, a cafe in Ottawa drew attention after relabeling the "americano" on its menu as a "canadiano."
At the time, Trump had threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian products unless Canada addressed illegal immigration and the trade deficit, then escalated the pressure by saying Canada would become the 51st state of the U.S.
The resentment is showing up in travel demand. Statistics Canada data for June showed that Canadian travel to the U.S. fell 25% from the same month in 2024.
The Bank of Canada, in an analysis released earlier this year, said the shift away from American products was "small but noticeable."
Fewer U.S. Trips, More Domestic Buying as 'Made in Canada' Spreads
The push to find Canadian-made products is spreading quickly in online communities.
Membership in the "Made in Canada" group on Facebook stood below 300,000 early last year but has since surpassed 1.4 million. Members share information on Canadian alternatives to American goods, ranging from facial moisturizers and protein bars to pet food, underwear and video games.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has also lent support to the trend. "Buying Canadian products and traveling within Canada is the most powerful action," Carney said, praising consumers' choices.
The growing preference for domestic goods is creating openings for Canadian producers. Tim Barry, a farm owner, said orders and inquiries from stores and supermarkets pour in every time Trump ratchets up his rhetoric.
Beyond Goods to Services: Canadians Vote With Their Wallets
The boycott is not limited to food and household items. Some consumers are moving to replace services from U.S. technology companies such as Adobe, Google Workspace and Zoom with Canadian or European alternatives.
Fully cutting out American products and services remains difficult in practice. Facebook, the platform hosting the active "Made in Canada" movement, is itself a U.S. company, and for some items, including certain food ingredients and consumer favorites, suitable substitutes are hard to find even when buyers check the country of origin.
The Washington Post reported that as tensions between the U.S. and Canada persist, some Canadians are continuing to "vote with their wallets" through their spending and travel choices.
