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.
What is it you think you’re correcting? This is how it works. It’s happening right now. And has been happening for decades.
goods ordered from Europe, to Canada, that only transits the US, is not affected by US tariffs. Because it’s not being imported to the US.
Items can still arrive in a US port, be taken inland for further processing and distribution. And then whatever is supposed to go up to Canada goes up to Canada.
the only time Foreign good to Canada is subjected to US tariffs, is if a US company has taken ownership, and sell the product to Canada, rather than selling the transportation service