Denmark leading way in ‘Boycott America’ movement – Business News
Ivan Hansen, a retired Danish police officer, loaded up his basket on the grocery store, rigorously checking every product to keep away from shopping for something made in the United States. No more Coca-Cola, no more California Zinfandel wine or almonds.
The 67-year-old stated it’s the one way he is aware of to protest US President Donald Trump’s insurance policies. He’s livid about Trump’s risk to seize the Danish territory of Greenland, but it surely’s not simply that.
There are additionally the threats to take control of the Panama Canal and Gaza.
An indication in a grocery store in Randers, Denmark letting consumers know that a black star on price tags signifies the merchandise have been made in Europe. Bo Amstrup/Ritzau Scanpix through AP
And Trump’s relationship with Elon Musk, who has far-right ties and made what many interpreted as a straight-armed Nazi salute.
On his current purchasing journey, Hansen returned home with dates from Iran. It shocked him to comprehend that he now perceives the United States as a higher risk than Iran.
“Trump really looks like a bully who tries in every way to intimidate, threaten others to get his way,” he instructed The Associated Press. “I will fight against that kind of thing.”
A growing boycott movement throughout Europe
Hansen is only one supporter of a growing movement throughout Europe and Canada to boycott US merchandise.
People are becoming a member of Facebook teams the place they exchange concepts about how to keep away from US merchandise and discover options.
Feelings are particularly robust throughout the Nordic area — and really presumably strongest in Denmark given Trump’s threats to grab Greenland.
Many consumers in Denmark and different European nations have been boycotting American merchandise to protest President Trump. through REUTERS
Google trends confirmed a spike in searches for the time period “Boycott USA,” and “Boycott America,” as Trump introduced new tariffs, with the highest areas together with Denmark, Canada and France.
At the identical time, a world backslash can be building in opposition to Tesla as the model turns into tied to Trump, with plunging gross sales in Europe and Canada. In Germany, police have been investigating after 4 Teslas have been set on fire Friday.
“Before Elon Musk started to act like a maniac a Tesla could have been an option. And maybe a Ford,” she stated.
A European BBQ sauce subsequent to an American model in Denmark. Bo Amstrup/Ritzau Scanpix through AP
French entrepreneur Romain Roy stated his photo voltaic panel firm has purchased a new Tesla fleet annually since 2021 however canceled its order for one more 15 to take a stand in opposition to Musk’s and Trump’s insurance policies.
Describing the United States as “a country closing in on itself,” he cited Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate accord and Musk’s arm gestures.
He stated he was as a substitute shopping for European fashions, regardless that it could value an further 150,000 euros ($164,000).
“Individual consumers, society, our countries, Europe must react,” he instructed broadcaster Sud Radio.
A European whisky positioned subsequent to American merchandise in the Randers store. Bo Amstrup/Ritzau Scanpix through AP
Responding to client demand, Denmark’s largest grocery store chain, the Salling Group, created a star-shaped label this month to mark European-made items bought in its shops.
CEO Anders Hagh stated it’s not a boycott, however a response to shoppers demanding a way to simply keep away from American merchandise.
“Our stores will continue to have brands on the shelves from all over the world, and it will always be up to customers to choose. The new label is only an additional service for customers who want to buy goods with European labels,” he stated in a LinkedIn post.
‘I have never seen Danes so upset’
For Bo Albertus, “when Trump went on television and said he would by political force or military force take a piece of the Danish kingdom, it was just too much for me.”
The 57-year-old stated he felt powerless and needed to do one thing. He has given up Pepsi, Colgate toothpaste, Heinz ketchup and California wine, and changed them with European merchandise.
He is now an administrator of the Danish Facebook web page “Boykot varer fra USA” (Boycott items from the US), which has swelled to over 80,000 members.
“Drink more champagne,” one consumer posted after Trump threatened 200% tariffs on EU wine and Champagne.
Albertus, a college principal, instructed the AP he actually misses the robust style of Colgate. But he’s been pleasantly stunned at discovering a cola substitute that’s half the price of Pepsi.
Trump’s insurance policies have “brought the Danish Viking blood boiling,” stated Jens Olsen, an electrician and carpenter. He is now contemplating changing $10,000 price of US-made DeWalt energy instruments regardless that it should value him a lot.
He has already discovered European replacements for an American popcorn model and California-made Lagunitas IPA beer, which he calls “the best in the world.”
“I’ve visited the brewery several times, but now I don’t buy it anymore,” he stated. He has combined emotions as a result of he’s a twin Danish-US citizen, and has spent a lot of time in the United States. But he can’t comprise his anger.
“I’m 66 years old and I have never seen the Danes so upset before,” he stated.
Michael Ramgil Stæhr has canceled a fall journey to the US and is amongst many selecting to buy Danish as a substitute of American-made, although he can’t pinpoint the precise second he made the choice.
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“Maybe it was when (Trump) announced to the world press that he intended to ‘take’ Greenland and the Panama Canal, and if necessary by military force. That and the gangster-like behavior towards the Ukrainian president in the White House,” the 53-year-old Copenhagen resident stated.
“The man is deadly dangerous and is already costing lives” in the developing world and Ukraine, added Stæhr, who works serving to disabled warfare veterans, many of whom obtained injured serving alongside US troops in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. He himself served in Bosnia.
Rising anger in France, too
Edouard Roussez, a farmer from northern France, launched an online group, “Boycott USA, Buy French and European!” that in simply two weeks has attracted over 20,000 members on Facebook.
Roussez believes a boycott of US firms is a good way to specific opposition to Trump’s insurance policies, particularly “the commercial and ideological war” he believes Trump is waging in opposition to Europe.
“First of all, these are the companies that financed Donald Trump’s campaign,” he stated on state-owned LCP tv channel. “I’m thinking of Airbnb, I’m thinking of Uber, I’m thinking of Tesla of course.”
The irony of all of it? The group is on Facebook. Roussez stated solely the American online social media platform gave him the attain he needed. But he’s working emigrate the group to different platforms with no US funding or capital.
As for any influence on US export earnings or policymaking, that’s unlikely, stated Olof Johansson Stenman, a professor of economics on the University of Gothenburg.
The boycott may have a psychological impact on Americans who see the dimensions of anger, however “some may also say, ‘We don’t like these Europeans anyway,’” Stenman stated.
Some selections are more durable than others
Simon Madsen, 54, who lives in the Danish metropolis of Horsens along with his spouse and 13-year-old twins, says the household has given up Pringles, Oreos and Pepsi Max. Not so exhausting, actually.
But now they’re discussing doing with out Netflix, and that’s a step too far for the youngsters.
He additionally wonders whether or not he ought to keep shopping for Danish-made Anthon Berg chocolate marzipan bars, that are made with American almonds.
It’s important, he stated, for people to make use of the facility of the purse to stress firms to change.
“It’s the only weapon we’ve got,” he stated.
