Ivan Hansen, a retired law enforcement officer from Denmark, is sparking a personal protest against the United States due to policies under President Donald Trump. While shopping for groceries, Hansen is meticulously avoiding products originating from the U.S. like Coca-Cola and California wines. Although Trump’s proposed takeover of Greenland incensed him, Hansen’s grievances also stem from threats involving the Panama Canal and Gaza, and Trump’s close association with figures like Elon Musk, whom he claims displays extremist affiliations. On a recent shopping venture, realizing he now views the US as a bigger threat than Iran, Hansen instead chose to buy dates from Iran.
Hansen is part of a broader movement unfolding across Europe and Canada where people are actively boycotting American products. The sentiment is particularly palpable in the Nordic countries, especially Denmark, due to the Greenland threat. In parallel, Google search trends for phrases like “Boycott USA” have seen spikes, notably in Denmark, Canada, and France. Additionally, backlash is mounting against Tesla as it is increasingly associated with Trump’s administration, leading to a decrease in sales in Europe and Canada. In Germany, authorities are investigating incidents of Tesla cars being set on fire.
Elsebeth Pedersen, residing in Faaborg on Denmark’s Funen island, bypassed even considering American-made cars during a recent purchase, having been put off by Musk’s erratic behavior. French entrepreneur Romain Roy echoes this sentiment, opting for European automobile models over Tesla due to Trump’s environmental policies and Musk’s controversial gestures. Though it requires higher expenditure, Roy champions the cause as his firm discontinued its annual Tesla fleet purchase.
In response to consumer preferences, Denmark’s largest supermarket chain, the Salling Group, has introduced labels to clearly identify European-produced goods, granting shoppers an easier means to bypass American brands. The group’s CEO emphasized that while the stores will continue stocking global products, the new labeling caters to a growing consumer demand to favor European goods.
Bo Albertus, enraged by Trump’s declaration of taking parts of the Danish realm through force, has shifted entirely to European substitutions for American products like Heinz ketchup and Coca-Cola. His frustration is echoed in a Facebook community he manages that has collected over 80,000 members advocating for a boycott of U.S. goods. Meanwhile, Jens Olsen contemplates replacing expensive American-made tools with European alternatives, despite his dual nationality, emphasizing the severe discontent among Danes.
In Paris and northern France, anger is simmering as well. Edouard Roussez initiated a Facebook group urging people to boycott U.S. companies in response to Trump’s policies, gaining a significant following. He pointed out that many U.S. companies like Airbnb and Uber contributed funding to Trump’s campaign, reinforcing his call for a boycott.
While Simon Madsen’s family in Denmark contemplates giving up American entertainment services such as Netflix, they stress the importance of using consumer power as leverage to effect change. Despite the personal challenges in forgoing some American products, Madsen highlights consumer choice as a strategic instrument in advocating for change.
