Global Boycott of US Brands Grows in Response to Trump Tariffs

Calls to boycott American products are multiplying on social networks, in retaliation for Trump’s announcements on customs duties. The Tesla company is already suffering the consequences, recording a record drop in sales of its electric vehicles. Internet users are targeting the brands to boycott: Coca-Cola, Kraft, Walmart, KFC, McDonald’s, Starbucks... In French or European supermarkets, the boycott could go further and take into account the Pepsi brands, Heinz ketchup, Uncle Ben’s rice, Lay’s chips, Kellog’s popcorn or Mars bars and Wrigley’s or Freedent chewing gum.

In Europe, the Norwegian company Haltbakk Bunkers announced in a message posted on Facebook on March 1 that it will no longer supply fuel to American military ships. A decision hailed by many Internet users, but subject to criticism. In a statement, the Norwegian Minister of Defense, Tore Sandvik, said that this measure by the company "does not correspond to the government’s policy" and that "the American forces will continue to receive from Norway the supplies and support they need." It is a "moral" decision, argues for his part the president of Haltbakk Bunkers, Gunnar Gran, recalling that his company has ceased to supply Russian ships since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

Calls to boycott American products are also being recorded in Switzerland. "Buying American products in our time is equivalent to supporting Russia’s attempt to crush its European brother," says Hube Anderson, a member of a dedicated Facebook group. Jacob Zulinski, another member of the group, hopes to "plunge the American stock market into the red for a few days." This way, he hopes, "Trump will realize that it’s not worth doing business with Putin."