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Stop buying American goods after Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico

963 replies

Rainingalldayonmyhead · 02/02/2025 09:23

Stop buying American goods after Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

He says it’s because of phen and illegal immigration - less than 1% come from Canada.

This will have significant implications for the Canadian economy, the American economy and by domino the world. Not to mention the fact it could start a significant trade war.

The US doesn’t subsidise Canada - they buy Canadian goods. Approx 40% of their crude oil comes from Canada for example.

There is also an agreed trade deal between the US/Canada and Mexico that Trump agreed to and signed in his first years in office.

YABU - it doesn’t matter to me
YANBU - let’s stand up to a bully and support our allies

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CaptainMyCaptain · 02/02/2025 10:07

PonyPatter44 · 02/02/2025 09:38

I think @Deljay makes a very good point. What ARE American goods? What does America provide to the EU and UK that we would genuinely struggle without?

That's what I was thinking. I would definitely boycott but I'm not sure what I currently buy that would make a difference.

Floppyzebra · 02/02/2025 10:06

Rainingalldayonmyhead · 02/02/2025 10:01

Less than 1% of illegal immigration comes from Canada. Less than 1%.

And they control their border too.

Your comment is naive.

He should pressure all countries who let illegal immigrants in, they should all be accountable.

flapjackfairy · 02/02/2025 10:06

BlusteryLake · 02/02/2025 09:46

He said it was because Mexico hasn't done enough to stop the flow of drugs into the US, conveniently ignoring the lack of US action on the flow of guns the other way, that fuel the drugs trade. He is a monumentally short sighted, immature fool.

not to mention that his beloved Musk is a ketamine addict apparently. But that's ok i guess because he is mega rich.
Trump is literally insane IMHO.

TheDowagerCountessofPembroke · 02/02/2025 10:05

Echoing what others have said, what American goods? Electronics like iPhones aren’t made there. Bugger all is as far as I can make out. The only thing they seem to export now is films and tv programs.

cheezncrackers · 02/02/2025 10:05

You not buying American peanuts isn't going to make the slightest difference. This will be sorted out probably by Tuesday, when the tariffs are due to come into effect.

cakeorwine · 02/02/2025 10:05

I can imagine there is going to be a lot of ill will towards this US Government after this action - and relationships that have been built up over years can easily be destroyed.

Rainingalldayonmyhead · 02/02/2025 10:05

AnotherDayAnotherIdea · 02/02/2025 10:02

I think coca cola is made locally, but there will be licence payments. I'm not sure what we actually physically import. Microsoft office?? Use of amazon?

I think they had wanted to import beef over here but it seems a bit pointless since we already have local beef.

Speaking of America and poor old Canada I watched a comedy from the 90s - one of john candy's last films - called Canadian Bacon. I found it funny and kind of relevant. It's on amazon prime (oops american channel) If you have access to that.

Yeah it’s a good movie and made me laugh. Sorry 😂

Agreed on the meat.

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IncessantNameChanger · 02/02/2025 10:04

Deljay · 02/02/2025 09:35

I think it's really hard to boycott goods these days. Everything is everywhere. What ARE American goods? I can think of really... 90s things?

I guess it's Coca Cola and Pepsi, Levis, Disney, Mars, MacDonalds, KFC, etc, Nike, Starbucks. But a lot of that is brands, right? It's not really things they make. What do they actually make just them?

What about things like Google, Microsoft, Apple? Isn't it all made in China?

I can't think of anything I knowingly buy from the USA either? Goods or services.

Rainingalldayonmyhead · 02/02/2025 10:04

Frowningprovidence · 02/02/2025 09:59

Does Canada have any other markets for its stuff that it can just increase trade there?

Of course but it’s geographically easy. Over 75% of Canadian exports go to the US. It will take some time to move them but hey If the UK and Europe want more crude oil and petrol from a country with a lower dollar value it could be a winner.

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AnotherDayAnotherIdea · 02/02/2025 10:02

I think coca cola is made locally, but there will be licence payments. I'm not sure what we actually physically import. Microsoft office?? Use of amazon?

I think they had wanted to import beef over here but it seems a bit pointless since we already have local beef.

Speaking of America and poor old Canada I watched a comedy from the 90s - one of john candy's last films - called Canadian Bacon. I found it funny and kind of relevant. It's on amazon prime (oops american channel) If you have access to that.

AwaitingFreedom · 02/02/2025 10:01

I've got no idea on what are American goods anymore except for crap foods like pepsi so can't really boycot it, unless you mean all social media too? It seems most of our non-food items come from China anyway.

Rainingalldayonmyhead · 02/02/2025 10:01

Floppyzebra · 02/02/2025 09:55

He has to have a hard line to stop illegal immigration so I'm fine with it.

Less than 1% of illegal immigration comes from Canada. Less than 1%.

And they control their border too.

Your comment is naive.

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Frowningprovidence · 02/02/2025 09:59

Does Canada have any other markets for its stuff that it can just increase trade there?

cakeorwine · 02/02/2025 09:58

There is going to be effects for the UK and the rest of the world because of an economic impact.

Do people in general understand how tariffs work? If Trump puts tariffs on goods, that's going to impact the US economy and other economies. Including ours.

Downtherivers · 02/02/2025 09:56

When you see what the top imports from the US are you will quickly realise your plan doesn’t really work. Over 15% of goods imports is crude oil and over 10% is Mechanical power generators. That’s just over 1/4 of the goods imported and I will hazard a guess you have never bought either.
It certainly isn’t a case of just boycotting American brands.

Deljay · 02/02/2025 09:56

GoldenSunflowers · 02/02/2025 09:52

But who will buy all the candy and unnatural coloured cereal in those American candy stores that were sprouting up everywhere a couple of years ago?

Nobody, same as before. Those aren't real stores - they are money laundering operations. https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/oxford-street-candy-shop-investigation-b1082733.html

The sour truth of Oxford Street’s candy shop curse

Garish sweet stores have been blighting the capital’s famous shopping centre in recent years, but with business rates unpaid, illegal goods seized and money laundering exposed, authorities are fighting back, says Anthony France

https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/oxford-street-candy-shop-investigation-b1082733.html

Floppyzebra · 02/02/2025 09:55

He has to have a hard line to stop illegal immigration so I'm fine with it.

meditrina · 02/02/2025 09:54

GoldenSunflowers · 02/02/2025 09:52

But who will buy all the candy and unnatural coloured cereal in those American candy stores that were sprouting up everywhere a couple of years ago?

Still nobody, and the tax evaders/money launderers will either not care, or move on to a different shop front

Edited to add link

The sour truth of Oxford Street’s candy shop curse | The Standard

MissyB1 · 02/02/2025 09:54

Upstartled · 02/02/2025 09:30

No, thanks. It doesn't matter to me.

If a global trade war happens then it will absolutely affect you.

GoldenSunflowers · 02/02/2025 09:52

But who will buy all the candy and unnatural coloured cereal in those American candy stores that were sprouting up everywhere a couple of years ago?

Rainingalldayonmyhead · 02/02/2025 09:50

Reallybadidea · 02/02/2025 09:48

I don't think us boycotting US products will make the slightest bit of difference. What his tariffs may well do is cause massive inflation and hopefully the US electorate will realise they've been conned. I feel sorry for those who didn't vote for him because they're going to suffer too.

Of course boycotts make a difference. Just look at recently when Americans boycotted Bud Light and almost put the company out of business.

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meditrina · 02/02/2025 09:50

Well, it's a policy that's going to cost US a lot, what with it being a net importer.

I think it's generally a good thing to buy British anyhow, as it is good for business here.

And even if it's unrealistic to attempt to tightly define what counts as US origin, or to eliminate them completely from what you buy, it's possible to make the point if everyone reduces a bit (it adds up quickly) - say swopping from Starbucks to your local independent and gong to Greggs rather than MaccyD or KFC

Reallybadidea · 02/02/2025 09:48

I don't think us boycotting US products will make the slightest bit of difference. What his tariffs may well do is cause massive inflation and hopefully the US electorate will realise they've been conned. I feel sorry for those who didn't vote for him because they're going to suffer too.

Rainingalldayonmyhead · 02/02/2025 09:48

Parker231 · 02/02/2025 09:44

We live in Canada, 60km from the US border. I’d love electricity to be cut off to the US! Watching Trump’s press conference rants are becoming hilarious!

Well that may happen! Let’s see what Trudeau proposes. Remember in 2003 when the power went out in southern Ontario and northern US for millions and millions of people for days.

That man forgets how intrinsically linked we are.

It may get ugly for a while! It’s interesting to see Mark Carney has a very hard line too. Short term we look like we are saying the right things.

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BlusteryLake · 02/02/2025 09:46

He said it was because Mexico hasn't done enough to stop the flow of drugs into the US, conveniently ignoring the lack of US action on the flow of guns the other way, that fuel the drugs trade. He is a monumentally short sighted, immature fool.

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