What are some US brands to avoid?

[kungfoofighting]

Following on from suggestions to boycott US products, it seems a lot of brands might be US-owned with a lot of consumers not realising.

Like Mondolez owning Cadbury for example.

What are some others?

You don’t have to, that’s fine.

I’m not trying to persuade people who don’t want to boycott American companies that they should.

We'd all better try to keep healthy too, as the Americans have got the funeral business here well sewn up.

This…. Not to mention Facebook… Instagram… wattsapp….how many of them are using IPhones? 👀 But people won’t boycott those things because they pick and choose what’s convenient

Give up Facebook and WhatsApp, you know you want to, I have never used Facebook nor WhatsApp since Facebook owned it.

I use DuckDuckGo – my original motivation is that it has much greater privacy.

It is still American – Pennsylvania – but its ethos is about challenging the monopoly big tech companies have on our data.

There may be other decent search engines from outside the US, something to look into!

Really? Where I am the six closest funeral directors are all either independents or Co-op (which is obviously Manchester-based).

People already do boycott those things!

I think it’s fine to just do what you can.

Thanks kungfoo, will Google for info. Oh, er 🤔😀

I think it should be about there being a viable local alternative. If there is one, I would certainly look into it. There aren't apples to apples alternatives to some products and services, and we may have to live with that for now.

I agree that there are some US brands that it's impossible to avoid. But I think it's helpful to exercise judgement where we're able to - for example where alternatives are readily available, then why not choose them over US goods and services? In clothing, for example, ds likes Nike. Tbh we can't afford their prices new anyway, so he's happy that we buy second hand from Vinted instead. He likes Fanta, we'll buy Tango.

Completely agree.
Plus somethings like your phone, software etc are likely things you already had and bought pre trump madness.
I’m avoiding anything I can. Even if not every single thing can be avoided, it all helps me feel a little bit distanced from supporting his regime in any way.
My purse, my choice.

People say Google though when they may use another search engine, it's a bit like the brand Hoover.

https://www.hive.co.uk/WhatsHiveallabout

Hive is a really good alternative to Amazon for buying books and some other things. When you buy your book you then nominate a local independent bookshop and a percentage of the price goes to them. Delivery is really quick.

Thank you, that's very helpful.

I would find it more useful if people could come up with alternatives or non-American brands and every day items - rather than what to avoid. As I’m reading through everything to avoid thinking bloody hell what can I buy instead?! I would like to avoid American goods but need good alternatives!

Amazon is a pretty big one. Especially as Bezos donated to Trumps inauguration.

Admittedly Google and Microsoft are harder to disentangle yourselves from, but the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation do a lot of good work across the globe.

I found this pic useful and as far as I know correct, though I didn't make it myself.

Ben and Jerry's was a surprise to me, but its actually owned by Unilever 🤷‍♀️

I suppose even little swaps, supporting Barr who make Iron Bru or Nicholls who make Vimto instead of choosing coca cola.

Choosing Adidas or Puma instead of Nike, etc.

Thanks for sharing!

Having a little cry about Snickers 🥲

I think visuals like this are really good for easy-to-digest reference

And good to be aware that names can be deceiving (like Haagen Dazs vs Ben & Jerry’s)

Tesla sales have increased recently according to the Guardian.

Did they mean rallied somewhat after the recent huge dropoff?

Your iPhone is bought and paid for just don't buy another you don't need to trash the one you have in protest

Probably. But the decrease in the UK had not been huge. Only about 18% compared to more like 50% in France and Germany. An analyst had said that the initial drop in the UK might have been due to people waiting for the next model to come out.

I suppose it would depend when the trajectory altered and how closely this coincided with the CEO’s recent comments. 18% is still a pretty big dropoff. You’d have to assume that at least some British consumers have chosen not to buy TESLA because of the negative associations.

I thought this but it's not the case as the products are not just US.

I often find that Amazon isn't the cheapest place to buy something. DH will send me Amazon links for present ideas and 9/10 they are as cheap if not cheaper buying direct from a British company and at least they pay tax.

No but it’s better to buy the products directly from the sellers – it’s often cheaper as well (excluding delivery for small orders) and the company doesn’t have to pay a chunk to amazon