A local pub in Toronto has joined a growing movement in Canada by boycotting American products, using only Canadian ingredients whenever possible and opting for European or Mexican alternatives where necessary.
Leah Russell, manager of Toronto’s Madison Avenue Pub, emphasized the establishment’s commitment to the boycott, regardless of whether US tariffs remain in place.
"I'm glad that we're getting rid of American products and supporting local businesses. I think it's an important thing to do," Russell told the BBC.
This action is just one of many responses to US President Donald Trump’s trade policies and remarks about Canada.
Symbolic Acts of Protest
Beyond economic boycotts, Canadians have been expressing their frustration in symbolic ways. A Montreal café has renamed the popular "Americano" coffee as "Canadiano" to show solidarity with the country.
Additionally, a revamped version of the iconic Joe Canadian advertisement has resurfaced. Originally a 2000 Molson Beer ad celebrating Canadian identity, the remake is not promoting beer but rather national pride. The ad declares, "They mistake our modesty for meekness, our kindness for consent, our nation for another star on their flag, and our love of a hot cheesy poutine with their love of a hot cheesy Putin." It concludes with a defiant statement: "We are not 51st anything."
Even the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has faced backlash after airing a program discussing the idea of Canada becoming the "51st state"—a phrase Trump has repeatedly used. The show has been criticized as "treasonous" and "betrayal" by outraged Canadians.
Political and Economic Retaliation
Despite Trump lifting some tariffs and delaying others until April 2nd, many Canadians feel the damage has already been done. Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly told CNN that Canada has endured "too much disrespect by the Trump administration," referencing Trump’s labeling of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as "Governor Trudeau."
Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario—Canada’s most populous province—has responded by imposing a 25% export tariff on electricity supplied to certain US states, impacting 1.5 million American homes.
"I feel terrible for the American people because it's not the American people, and it's not even elected officials, it's one person," Ford said in a radio interview, referring to Trump. "He's coming after his closest friends, closest allies in the world, and it's going to absolutely devastate both economies."
Canadians Taking Annexation Claims Seriously
Beyond the economic impact, tensions have deepened after Trudeau suggested Trump may be aiming to "annex" Canada.
"What he wants is to see a total collapse of the Canadian economy because that'll make it easier to annex us," Trudeau stated on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the boycott of American goods and services has already begun affecting US industries. According to Global News, leisure travel bookings from Canada to the US have dropped 40% year over year, based on data from Flight Centre Canada.
Before the trade dispute, the US was the top international travel destination for Canadians, contributing $20.5 billion CAD (£15.89 billion) to the American tourism industry last year. Now, with tensions rising, that economic relationship is beginning to shift.
