Avoiding US goods and services – from tech to whisky to air travel – has forced many to find a new way of living

Avoiding US goods and services – from tech to whisky to air travel – has forced many to find a new way of living

This week the US imposed 50% tariffs on US$20bn (£15bn) of Canadian goods, and Mark Carney, the country’s prime minister, has vowed to match them “dollar for dollar” after the collapse of trade talks between the two countries last weekend. Donald Trump retaliated on Thursday by ordering the federal government to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America.

Such actions have added fuel to a widespread boycott of US products and services by Canadians that began early last year in response to the president’s trade war and threats to annex his northern neighbour.

More than 3,500 people from across Canada shared with the Guardian via an online callout how they have made changes to their lives in response to the US administration’s political and economic stance. Many expressed deep anger and sadness, but remained resolute that this was now a new way of living.

  • M0oP0o@mander.xyzEnglish
    3·
    9 days ago

    So why the hell are you telling people that they can just leave easy? Come now, even your tale paints a fucking nightmare. You even describe the very issue with an american living outside of america (mostly the us sucks in and out of the usa). Did you know most places also let you move around freely inside of the nation? Hell I have done it twice in my life here in Canada, and its not something to brag about. This is a big issue with americans, your damn exceptionalism because most countries have a fuck lot more then half that. You are living in a shit nation throwing shit at other nations.

    You don’t get to tell people fables and then tell them to “grow up” due to your situation being shit, it makes zero sense.

      • M0oP0o@mander.xyzEnglish
        3·
        9 days ago

        The fable is that americans can “leave” if they want to. They can’t, do some research. Do you think working one year contracts as an English teacher in Asia counts as giving up your american citizenship? Do you think having to pay double tax is normal? We will be calling each other out till the heat death of the universe.

          • Ann Archy@lemmy.worldEnglish
            2·
            9 days ago

            Bro, it’s not fair to tell people who don’t like the country they live in to move. If everyone did that then there would be no country left. It is fair to stay and try to create the nation you want, doesn’t it? What kind of nation do you want? I mean that seriously, I think you have something to say, and I think this thread derailed into name calling. So may I constructively ask you, what is your main topic of contention with your country that you would want changed? I understand that this is a broad question, and if you wouldn’t mind, I would prefer an answer that is a description of the kind of society you would want to live in.

            What type of society would you feel happy in? Can you describe it? I think it is important for us all to talk about these things, genuinely.

            Thanks.

          • M0oP0o@mander.xyzEnglish
            2·
            9 days ago

            The usa will not let you leave, that is the point.

            Oh, and no its not normal to double tax. Only two countries impose this income tax system: the United States and Eritrea.

              • M0oP0o@mander.xyzEnglish
                3·
                9 days ago

                You can literally walk into Mexico without any US guards stopping you.

                US guards no, Mexican ones yes. The usa is one of only two nations that will demand a cut of your income when outside of the states and no you can’t become not american so no you can not leave in the way that matters.

                Now whether the other country lets you in is their business. Which is not the fault of the USA.

                Yes telling people if they don’t like it they can leave but then having such a bad international reremovedtion does in fact make some of the fault land on the usa.

                • Ann Archy@lemmy.worldEnglish
                  1·
                  9 days ago

                  The usa is one of only two nations that will demand a cut of your income when outside of the states

                  Yeah that one is 😵

                  Hey I wonder if that goes for billionaires who own multinational corps as well.

                  • M0oP0o@mander.xyzEnglish
                    2·
                    9 days ago

                    That is a great question, and I guess it depends if they are “american”. We know Musk is not, so no taxes there, and most can shelter their income in a way that they pay nothing.

                    The issue for the little people is that (everywhere but United States and Eritrea) generally you pay taxes in the place you are living. So if you live in say Poland you would be using Polish services (healthcare, police, roads, you get the idea) and therefor pay Polish income tax. And most would say that is fair. The us though asks for their cut regardless where you are on top of what ever the local government takes. If rich enough you can just say where you “live” regardless of where you lay your head.

              • M0oP0o@mander.xyzEnglish
                2·
                9 days ago

                Those, and this might shock you, are not nations but states.

                I moved from Ontario and don’t pay taxes there anymore as well. The fact you think that states are nations is odd. The states (the nation as a whole) does make you pay taxes when you leave, use none of their services and for all purposes stop being american. Something something taxation without representation…

              • Ann Archy@lemmy.worldEnglish
                2·
                9 days ago

                Please stop with the name calling. I hate when people do that, and you hate when people do it to you. I get it. We’re all mad. But I’m not gonna interrupt, I would like to hear your take on my question in the comment I posted to you above. Peace.

                fuck it, I’m gonna upvote all the comments in this chain, regardless of the name calling, because I can.

                • M0oP0o@mander.xyzEnglish
                  3·
                  9 days ago

                  Why are you upvoting them when they are having an american tantrum? Not going to stop you, you do you and all that but I would guess its not helping.

                  • Ann Archy@lemmy.worldEnglish
                    1·
                    9 days ago

                    You make a valid point. My answer is agency, I suppose.

                    I liked the thread. You guys are mad at each other but I am interested in the topic so I wanted to hear more. I upvoted all of you, and I interjected a bit myself. Let’s try to make this a better place than Reddit! Amirite?

                  • M0oP0o@mander.xyzEnglish
                    3·
                    8 days ago

                    Oh, please tell us what you have been called. I would like to know as clearly I am some sort of “troll bot” and require input.

                  • Ann Archy@lemmy.worldEnglish
                    1·
                    8 days ago

                    Yeah I saw that, but you do it too. I think it’s funny because you both have good points and fucking hate each other, so it’s both entertaining and educational lol keep punching’em!

      • Ann Archy@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        9 days ago

        I mean really, nobody gives a crap if 10,000 people boycott US goods… 🤣

        I can quote sources stating quite the contrary- not only is it very much more than 10,000, the businesses affected are most outspoken about the sudden lack of it.

      • M0oP0o@mander.xyzEnglish
        1·
        9 days ago

        They can! There’s no American law saying they have to stay. They are free to leave! And they are lying when they say they’re not. This isn’t difficult to understand!

        THEY CAN’T the us still considers them american and requires taxes and all the other bullshit to be paid.

        What gets me about you “damn” Canadians is the fact your very existence is based on US subsidies. My shit nation guarantees your shit nation actually exists! 🤣

        You should really just stop all these “subsidies” to us then, I am sure they exist and are not just more bullshit. Actually lets have both our nations stop the shit, I am sure the us will do just fine without potash, power, wood, steel and aluminium. Oh wait, we will get to see what happens!

        The us of a does not give Canada subsidies, in fact our history has been your nation ripping mine off for years (softwood lumber, oil, power, etc. etc.)

        You should do some research. Because right now, you look naive at best.

        HA! Spoken like an american. Enjoy your time thriving, since clearly your winning like Charlie Sheen.

          • M0oP0o@mander.xyzEnglish
            1·
            9 days ago

            Please where is the lie?

            Do you think that having a Canadian friend is some pass? Your nation sucks and has been a drain on the world. Your nation has cut off trade, you never “took” Venezuela just kidnapped it’s shitty leader. I only hope we cut the power so you can see that 1% in action.

            We will see how this all plays out, so far the us is falling apart and is becoming persona non grata.

              • M0oP0o@mander.xyzEnglish
                1·
                9 days ago

                Yes, clearly I am some sort of troll bot that uses the terrible nasty truth to ruin your upstanding nation…

                The us will not let you leave and not be american anymore, the very core of the bullshit statement “if you don’t like it, you are free to leave” is false. You can physically leave but the us will never let you go. You are getting silly, please continue with such great comments.