- Since US President Donald Trump launched his tariff offensive last year, Canadians have staged a massive boycott of US goods: American wines and spirits have disappeared from shelves in most provinces, while the number of Canadian tourists traveling to the United States has also fallen.
- The tourism boycott, which last year led to a 25 percent drop in the number of Canadians traveling to the United States, has begun to show signs of losing steam; in June, 2.3 million trips were made from Canada to the US, up five percent from a year earlier. In response, New York state launched its "New York Loves Canada" initiative offering promotions to Canadians.
- Canadian Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne urged Canadians to use their purchasing power: "It's good to remember that the greatest power we all have is our own purchasing power...We can choose to buy Canadian, and we must choose to buy Canadian."
- Industry Minister Melanie Joly added: "When you choose a Canadian product, you're not only putting pressure on the United States, you're protecting jobs" in Canada.
- A Montreal supermarket manager, Peter Gianopolis, said he could "already see a difference" in consumer behavior since the Canadian government's decision to break off trade negotiations with Washington, noting that "Customers ask where products come from and always prefer those from Quebec, even if they're more expensive."
- At a Canadian Tire store in Montreal, employees wore T-shirts bearing the slogan: "We all play for Canada."
- Lawyer Charlotte Dumonceau said: "I've decided not to vacation in the United States for the next few years."
- A 61-year-old Canadian shopper expressed support for the boycott, saying: "Tariffs hurt our economy, but they force us to buy Canadian." "And I'm all for that."
Canadians have responded to U.S. tariffs with a significant boycott of American goods and travel. Since President Trump's tariff threats began, American wines and spirits have largely vanished from Canadian shelves, and the number of Canadians visiting the U.S. dropped by 25% last year.
However, recent statistics indicate a shift, with 2.3 million trips made from Canada to the U.S. in June, marking a 5% increase from the previous year. Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne emphasized the importance of supporting local products, stating, "It's good to remember that the greatest power we all have is our own purchasing power...We can choose to buy Canadian, and we must choose to buy Canadian."
Industry Minister Melanie Joly echoed this sentiment, noting that choosing Canadian products not only pressures the U.S. but also protects jobs in Canada. Local businesses have reported a noticeable change in consumer behavior, with Montreal supermarket manager Peter Gianopolis observing that customers now prefer Quebec products, even at higher prices.
Despite the boycott, New York state has initiated the "New York Loves Canada" campaign, offering promotions to attract Canadian tourists, suggesting a potential thaw in relations as the tourism boycott shows signs of easing.
“The boycott has led to a 25% drop in Canadian travel to the US, but June saw 2.3 million trips, up 5% from last year. New York state launched 'New York Loves Canada' promotions, while a Montreal supermarket manager notes customers prefer Quebec products even if pricier.”
