Trump has ignited a wave of economic defiance in Canada

This article Trump has ignited a wave of economic defiance in Canada was originally published by Waging Nonviolence.

Embed from Getty Images

The relationship between Canada and the United States, once a symbol of economic interdependence and diplomatic cooperation, now stands at a crossroads.

The recent imposition of sweeping 25 percent tariffs on Canadian exports by U.S. President Donald Trump has ignited a wave of resistance in Canada. But beyond the sharp exchanges of political rhetoric and retaliatory measures, a quieter but resolute movement is emerging — one that is reshaping Canadian consumer behavior, business practices and national identity.

In response, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau swiftly retaliated with tariffs on $20.8 billion worth of American goods, signaling a sharp departure from Canada’s traditionally measured approach to trade disputes.

“Canadians are reasonable and we are polite, but we will not back down from a fight — not when our country and the well-being of everyone in it is at stake,” Trudeau declared, underscoring the gravity of the moment.

But for many Canadians, what began as a political dispute over trade has now evolved into a broader movement — one that challenges Canada’s economic dependence on the United States. Canadians, from small business owners to everyday consumers, are finding ways to fight back.

Choosing Canadian over American

For decades, Canada has maintained an implicit reliance on the United States as its primary trading partner. With trade between the two countries exceeding $1.76 trillion annually, Canadian businesses have often had little choice but to tether themselves to their southern partner.

However, Trump’s aggressive protectionist policies have shattered that complacency.

“The relationship has been changed forever,” remarked British Columbia Premier David Eby. “We have friends, family and relationships that go back generations across the border. We love our American family members, but Canadians will never again put ourselves in the position of being so dependent on the United States.”

Since his return to the White House in January, Trump has made Canada a frequent target of his rhetoric, repeatedly diminishing Trudeau’s role by mockingly referring to him as a mere “governor.” Such statements, combined with aggressive trade policies, have triggered a wave of nationalist sentiment across Canada, prompting many to rethink their economic and cultural ties with the U.S.

One of the most telling acts of resistance has come from Graham Palmateer, the owner of Gram’s Pizza in Toronto. In a symbolic yet powerful gesture, Palmateer overhauled his supply chain to ensure that his business would no longer rely on products sourced from the United States.

“At one point I just figured, that’s enough, I’m going to do this,” Palmateer told CNN, explaining his decision to sever commercial ties with a country whose leader has, in his view, treated Canada with increasing hostility.

The Californian tomatoes that once adorned his pizzas were replaced with imports from Italy, and American-owned Coca-Cola was swapped for sparkling water infused with Canadian maple syrup.

Palmateer’s boycott reflects a sentiment that is rapidly gaining traction across the country, especially as U.S. tariffs have intensified, and Trump’s rhetoric has become increasingly hostile toward Canada.

Economic boycott

Public sentiment is translating into tangible economic action. Across the country, Canadians are deliberately shifting their spending habits away from American goods. As Canadians are increasingly looking to purchase domestically produced goods, they are consciously avoiding American brands.

John Liedtke, a Windsor, Ontario resident, voiced the frustration many Canadians are feeling. Living in a city closely tied to Detroit’s economy, he said, “Canadians are upset, angry and dismayed.” Some, he noted, have vowed never to cross the border again in response to Trump’s tariffs.

For others, the reaction has been more than just symbolic. Nikki Gauthier, a retired nurse from St. Catharine’s, Ontario, recalled her immediate anger upon hearing the news. She responded by canceling her Amazon subscription in favor of the Chinese retailer Temu and now carefully chooses Canadian-made products. When local produce isn’t available, she even prefers Mexican lettuce over American options.

Political leaders have acted swiftly to support this shift. Ontario Premier Doug Ford made a bold statement by directing government-owned liquor stores to stop selling U.S. alcoholic beverages, costing American producers about $1 billion in annual sales. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario, one of the world’s largest alcohol buyers, has long relied on American wines and spirits. Moreover, Ontario terminated its contract with Elon Musk’s Starlink internet provider and banned American companies from competing for public contracts. By cutting those ties, the province is sending a clear signal that Canada’s response to the tariffs is reaching beyond politics and into the marketplace.

Similarly, provinces across Canada have followed Ontario’s lead, removing American liquors from their shelves. In a move to further support local industry, many provinces have also ramped up the production and promotion of their own locally brewed alcoholic beverages. From craft breweries in British Columbia to distilleries in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canadian-made options are increasingly taking center stage.

Grocery stores nationwide have also responded to consumer preferences by prominently displaying “Made-in-Canada” signs. Shoppers can now use apps like MapleScan and Buy Beaver to scan products and trace their origins.

While retaliatory tariffs were imposed, Trudeau encouraged Canadians to support domestic products. “Now is the time to choose products made right here in Canada. Check the labels. Let’s do our part. Wherever we can, choose Canada,” he urged on social media.

This growing emphasis on economic self-reliance reflects not just a policy shift but also a change in consumer mindset — one that could significantly impact cross-border trade in the long run.

Mobilizing against U.S. policies

Alongside the consumer-driven actions, grassroots protests have become a defining feature of the broader resistance movement in Canada.

“We need to be all together, sending the same message that we do not want dictatorship, authoritarianism,” said Audrey Bourriaud, the organizer of the Windsor-Detroit cross-border protest against the Trump administration in an interview with CBC. “We want democracy, and we’re going to fight for democracy and we’re going to keep our democracy alive.”

The demonstration was held in response to Trump’s repeated threats to annex Canada as the 51st state and his imposition of tariffs that violate the Canada-U.S.-Mexico free trade agreement, one of the largest free trade agreements in the world.

On March 22, Canadian demonstrators gathered by the Canadian Flag at the foot of Ouellette Avenue, while their American counterparts assembled at Hart Plaza across the river. Bourriaud emphasized that the protest was a symbol of cross-border solidarity despite attempts to sow division.

Faced with the economic consequences of the U.S. tariffs, communities across Canada have taken to the streets to express frustration and opposition to American policies. These demonstrations, blending economic concerns with patriotic pride, are a striking form of grassroots activism.

Embed from Getty Images

In early March, thousands rallied in front of the U.S. embassy in Ottawa, calling for Canadians to stand against Trump’s aggressive rhetoric. Similar rallies under the slogan “Elbows Up, Canada!” and “Tell Trump to Toque Off” have taken place across Canada, including in Toronto and Vancouver. Borrowed from hockey, the term conveys the need for self-defense and resilience.

“We’ve had over 150 years of thinking of our neighbor as big and powerful, but also not an adversary. Well that has now changed,” said former Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy. “Mr. Trump has put himself in the ranks of the authoritarians. He wants to destroy the things that have given us as Canadians who we are, what we are and where we should go,” he added.

The movement has gained traction on social media through hashtags like #ElbowsUpCanada #CanadaIsNotForSale and #StandUpCanada, underscoring the public’s determination to protect the nation’s independence from U.S. influence — and several coffee shops across Canada have renamed their Americanos as a form of protest to “Canadiano.”

Impact on cross-border tourism

A recent survey by the Canadian market research firm Leger, found that 59 percent of Canadians are less likely to travel to the U.S. this year compared to 2024, with 36 percent of those with U.S. travel plans having already canceled their trips.

Additionally, data from Statistics Canada, shows a 23 percent drop in Canadian car trips to the U.S. last month compared to February 2024, along with a 2.4 percent decline in round-trip air travel.

According to the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office, the Canadian tourists contributed $20.5 billion to the U.S. economy in 2024. But this year, some Canadians are making alternative plans, choosing domestic trips or short flights to Mexico and Costa Rica instead.

For instance, Lisa Shea, an English professor from Gatineau, Quebec, had planned a summer trip to California with her friends. However, citing concerns over the political climate, she is now reconsidering, despite the non-refundable flights. “I prefer to support markets that prioritize stability and mutual respect,” she said.

The political landscape has also influenced the decisions of long-time “snowbirds” — Canadians who typically escape winter by traveling to the southern U.S., like Victor Jarjour, who is 72 years old. For nearly 20 years Victor and his wife have spent their winters in South Carolina and Florida. This year, however, they canceled the trip. “At the end of the day, we said, to hell with it!”

Similarly, Luana Hawken, 58, from Ontario, who has spent the last four winters in Florida with her husband, said they won’t be returning. “We can’t support a country that is treating ours so poorly,” she explained.

Adding to the strain, Canadian snowbirds, who contribute billions to the U.S. tourism industry each year, will now face stricter regulations. Under Trump’s “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” executive order, foreign nationals staying in the U.S. for over 30 days must register with the government to avoid penalties. This requirement, effective since Jan. 20, may further discourage the approximately one million Canadian snowbirds from traveling south.

“The rhetoric about tariffs, the mockery of our prime minister and the musing about us becoming the 51st state, that did it for all of us,” Jason Dale, an Ontario resident, who canceled a 10-day trip to the U.S. following Trump’s recent comments, told CNN Travel. “We’re going to keep our money in our own country.”

In the wake of escalating political and economic tensions, the growing reluctance of Canadians to travel to the U.S. underscores a significant shift in consumer and cultural behavior. From boycotting American goods to canceling long-standing travel plans, these decisions reflect broader concerns about the strained relationship between the two nations.

As Canadians reconsider their choices, both governments may face mounting pressure to navigate these tensions responsibly. Whether the boycotts will lead to long-term changes or serve as a temporary response remains to be seen. But for now, the message from many Canadians is very clear — their spending will reflect their values.

This article Trump has ignited a wave of economic defiance in Canada was originally published by Waging Nonviolence.

People-powered news and analysis

Source: https://wagingnonviolence.org/2025/03/trump-ignited-wave-economic-defiance-in-canada/