'Buy Canadian': Meet the Consumers Boycotting American Products as Trade Rift Widens

Signs reading "Buy Canadian instead" are seen on the empty shelves of American products at a supermarket in Vancouver, Canada,on March 28, 2025. —VCG/VCG—Getty Images When Lynn Henderson walks into her local grocery store in British Columbia, she has one label at the top of her mind: “Made in Canada.” The 47-year-old is among a drive of Canadian consumers who are attempting to boycott U.S. products in a show of solidarity amid the ongoing trade war.

“Even when I'm shopping with my toddler, he now asks specifically, ‘Oh, are these apples Canadian?’ And he will ask that before putting it in the cart,” Henderson tells TIME, noting that it’s a family effort.

It costs more, she admits, but it’s worth “knowing that money is staying here in Canada and not going south at the border.” The resurgence of the “Buy Canadian” movement comes amid a deepening U.S.-Canada trade dispute that shows no signs of waning.

Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods took effect Tuesday, with Prime Minister Mark Carney matching the economic pressure imposed by the U.S. after trade negotiations collapsed last month.

The U.S. has since announced a ban on Canadian dairy, motorcycles, and most alcoholic beverages.

It’s all unfolding against the backdrop of U.S.

President Donald Trump repeatedly talking of his ambitions to annex Canada and make it the 51st state .

While Carney’s government is going toe-to-toe with the Trump Administration, he’s urging the general population to take action, too.

“The most powerful actions have come from you: Buying Canadian and travelling in Canada,” Carney told Canadians in a national address Tuesday.

“Decisions taken at the kitchen table, not the boardroom table.” Other lawmakers have shared similar calls to action.

“‘Buy Canadian’ reflects the economic solidarity Canadians are showing at a time when it matters most,” Quebec minister Joël Lightbound said in a statement to TIME.

“By supporting one another and investing in what we build here at home, we are building Canada strong.” Canadian consumers have responded en masse to the call.

A Build Canada poll conducted Aug.

31-Sept.