Key facts
- US imposed 50% tariffs on approximately $20 billion in Canadian goods in February 2025.
- Canada responded with 'dollar-for-dollar' retaliatory tariffs.
- Canadian businesses started using 'Made in Canada' labels in spring 2025 to encourage local purchasing.
- Consumers find it difficult to find direct replacements for many US products.
- Choosing local alternatives can be more expensive and requires effort.
- Some Canadians are shifting travel focus from the US to domestic destinations.
As the trade dispute between the United States and Canada intensifies, some Canadian consumers are making a conscious effort to reduce their reliance on American products. This shift, prompted by escalating tariffs and a desire to support domestic businesses, presents significant challenges. Canadian businesses have responded by prominently displaying 'Made in Canada' labels, encouraging shoppers to seek out local alternatives.
However, consumers like Sarah Chudleigh in Montreal note that direct swaps for familiar American goods are not always available. While she has discovered Canadian brands such as Ungava Gin and Romeo's Gin, she still prefers some American produce, like oranges, for quality and proximity. The effort to find and purchase local alternatives often comes at a higher price point.
Alice Wu, a senior PR associate, began shopping more locally in early 2025 and found it opened up new experiences, leading her to discover more local vendors and farms. She noted that seasonal produce, like peaches from her local farmers market, tastes fresher and costs less than imported US versions. While some substitutions, like switching from General Mills cereal to Canadian Nature's Path, have been successful, others, such as replacing Oreos with Dare cookies, required more trial and error.
For some, avoiding American influence extends beyond shopping. Travel blogger Emilie Brillon, who previously focused on international travel including the US, has shifted her business to promote domestic travel within Canada. She now documents family road trips across the country and has updated her website to a Canadian domain, highlighting the diversity within Canada itself.