MONTREAL — The ongoing trade dispute between Canada and the United States has prompted a surge of economic patriotism among Canadian consumers, with government officials actively encouraging citizens to prioritize Canadian-made products in response to new U.S. tariffs.

Since U.S. President Donald Trump initiated a series of tariff measures against Canadian goods last year, Canadian consumers have notably reduced their consumption of American products. Canadian wines and spirits have largely vanished from store shelves in many provinces, while the number of Canadians traveling to the United States has also declined significantly.

Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne emphasized the importance of consumer choice at a recent announcement addressing Canada’s response to the tariffs. “It’s good to remember that the greatest power we all have is our own purchasing power...We can choose to buy Canadian, and we must choose to buy Canadian,” he said. Similarly, Industry Minister Melanie Joly linked the purchase of Canadian goods to job protection within the country, stating that selecting Canadian products “puts pressure on the United States” while safeguarding domestic employment.

Retailers in Montreal have observed shifts in consumer behavior consistent with these government messages. Peter Gianopolis, manager of a local supermarket, noted an increased preference for products made in Quebec, despite higher prices. Businesses have also embraced visible cues such as product labeling, featuring the maple leaf and clear Canadian origin markers, to appeal to consumers’ sense of national solidarity. At a Canadian Tire store in Montreal, employees donned T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan “We all play for Canada,” signaling a broader cultural push toward economic patriotism.

The boycott strategy has extended to tourism as well. According to Canadian statistics, the number of trips from Canada to the United States fell by 25 percent last year. However, this downward trend has begun to reverse somewhat in recent months. In June alone, 2.3 million trips were made from Canada to the U.S., representing a five percent increase compared to the same month the previous year. In response, tourism officials in several U.S. border states have introduced incentives aimed at Canadian travelers. Notably, New York State has launched the “New York Loves Canada” campaign, offering special promotions to Canadian visitors through the end of 2026 in an effort to regain tourism revenue.

Among individuals, the sentiment for economic nationalism persists. Montreal lawyer Charlotte Dumonceau expressed her personal commitment to the boycott by stating she plans to avoid vacationing in the United States for the foreseeable future.

The Canadian government’s promotion of buying domestic products underscores its broader strategy to counteract the economic impact of U.S. tariffs, encouraging citizens to leverage their purchasing decisions as a form of national resilience amid ongoing trade tensions.