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https://theconversation.com/trouble-at-tesla-and-protests-against-trumps-tariffs-suggest-consumer-boycotts-are-starting-to-bite-252489>
"When the United States starts a trade war with your country, how do you fight
back? For individuals, one option is to wage a personal trade war and boycott
products from the US.
President Donald Trump has said no nation will be exempt from his tariffs, and
this includes both Australia and New Zealand. His tariffs on all steel and
aluminium imports, in particular, could hurt the sector in Australia, while New
Zealand’s meat and wine exports to the US could also feel the effect.
So far, political leaders have responded differently. Canada, Mexico and the
European Union have imposed reciprocal tariffs on the US, while Australia has
indicated it will not retaliate.
But whether governments choose to push back or not, citizens in those and other
countries are making their own stands. This includes artists such as renowned
pianist András Schiff, who has cancelled his upcoming US tour.
Most notably, collective outrage at the US president has led to a growing
global boycott of Elon Musk’s Tesla due to his role in the Trump
administration. Sales of new Tesla vehicles are down 72% in Australia and 76%
in Germany. The share price has dropped by more than 50% since December 2024,
with calls for Musk to step down as chief executive.
Some governments are even encouraging consumer boycotts. The Canadian
government, for example, has urged citizens to “fight back against the
unjustified US tariffs” by purchasing Canadian products and holidaying in
Canada.
Canadians are clearly embracing this advice. Road trips to the US have dropped
by more than 20% in the past month and US liquor brands have been removed from
some Canadian stores altogether.
This rise in calls for boycotts of American brands and companies is
unsurprising in the Trump 2.0 era, where the lines between government and
corporate America have become increasingly blurred."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
