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 would, but I can’t just cross the border and declare myself a citizen of another country
So, no, I’m not. I’m kind of stuck here
Trust me, if England or Canada or Australia or Switzerland or France or Germany, etc… said I was free to live there for the rest of my life, I’d start packing my shit tonight
Forget Switzerland. You can’t afford it. Also they are very weird. You know, isolation does things to people.
I taught English in Asia for 10 years. For most countries, you just need to have an employable skill they need (Canada in particular likes tech workers, China, Vietnam and South Korea love oral English teachers, as do many Middle East countries like the UAE or even Turkey). Or, if you have a decent enough pension check, they’ll let you move right in and grant you residency. So no, you’re not “stuck” here. Your brain might be “stuck”, but you certainly aren’t. As well, you can set up a joint-venture business with a citizen of a different nation, and your business visa can be converted to a residence visa if the venture proves successful.
And a big thanks to the downvoters – always finding reasons to hate!
My age is a bit of a factor
I also have a family so it’s not just me
I’ve looked. Nothing too crazy but I’ve explored the idea of getting my child out of a part of the world where people think teachers should have guns
I met plenty of people who were older, married, with kids who taught English overseas. No different than teaching here (except for the food, which in many cases was better than here!). Seriously.
But you are clearly writing over-generalization checks that life refuses to cash. SOME Americans think teachers should have guns, and they have their reasons. MOST Americans don’t want guns in the classrooms for obvious reasons. Everyone has a right to their beliefs and opinions. Nobody deserves to be generalized or compartmentalized into a group. You just did both.
Personally, I think you’re converting your own lack of follow-through for your own family’s future into misplaced contempt for a nation that (unlike most) will actually allow you to leave. You said earlier that you can’t just “show up and be a citizen” in other countries (because they have rules), and tried to blame America for it. Then, when I showed you that you could, you said “it’s not for me” and then expressed even more contempt for the country I just gave you a way out of.
Grow up. Quit bitching.
I’m trying to go to England, not Singapore. Pretty sure they don’t need Americans to teach the English how to speak English
Don’t tell them that, they likely think that they do. They also seem to think a temp job overseas is the same as emigrating.
10 years in-country is a bit different than a temp job. You clearly have never been anywhere. But nice try, trollbot!
Troll bot, ha. you did not work 10 years on the same contract, I do know how at least that much works.
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I never said anything about Singapore so please quit lying and putting words in my mouth I never said (although I did date an incredible girl from there, I just liked Malaysia better). And as Singapore was an English colony (prior to the American colonies), they already speak English better than you and I ever will.
Are you really trying to blame America because England spoke English before America even existed? Just wow…
YOU CAN NOT LEAVE AMERICA AND DENOUNCE YOUR CITIZENSHIP, STOP PAYING TAXES WHILE ABROAD (a thing unique to the states), OR BECOME NOT AN AMERICAN WITHOUT BECOMING STATELESS.
Saying you are “free to leave” is not really telling the whole story now is it? The fact that we need it in all caps might just get the concept though.