Toronto, February 3, 2025: Canadians are fiercely protesting the United States’ recent imposition of steep tariffs, with many canceling trips to the U.S., boycotting American products, and even expressing their outrage at sporting events. The tariffs, announced by President Donald Trump on Saturday, include a 25% levy on most Canadian imports and a 10% tax on energy products.
In retaliation, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled C$155 billion ($107 billion) in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, with the first phase set to take effect on Tuesday. The announcement has sparked a surge of nationalist sentiment across Canada, with citizens pledging to shop local and avoid American brands.
“It feels like Trump wants to restructure the world order,” said Drew Dilkens, Mayor of Windsor, a border city that handles approximately C$400 million ($272 million) in daily trade through the Ambassador Bridge connecting it to Detroit. “If he’s willing to do this to Canada, what’s he willing to do to everyone else?”
The tariffs have already begun to disrupt communities reliant on cross-border trade, particularly in Ontario, where U.S.-Canada commerce is crucial. To protest, Ontario Premier Doug Ford ordered the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) to remove all American-made liquor from its shelves. “Not anymore,” Ford said, noting that LCBO typically sells nearly $1 billion in U.S. alcohol annually.
On a personal level, many Canadians are reassessing their purchasing decisions. Calgary resident Ken Lima-Coelho said his family has started buying only Canadian-made products. “I can’t change the politics, but I can change the toothpaste I buy,” he said.
Protests have also been seen at sporting events. Fans at a hockey game in Ottawa on Saturday booed the U.S. national anthem before the Senators’ match against the Minnesota Wild. A similar reaction occurred at a Toronto Raptors basketball game, where fans booed during the anthem before their game against the LA Clippers.
Winnipeg’s Loraine MacKenzie Shepherd expressed her intent to prioritize Mexican and Canadian goods to support workers who might lose jobs due to the tariffs. “We need to stand together,” she said.
On the travel front, many Canadians have canceled U.S. trips in protest. Mike Davies, 64, from British Columbia, launched a social media campaign urging Canadians to boycott American products. “Every Canadian is just disgusted,” he said, adding that he had canceled his Netflix subscription and stopped using Amazon.
