American allies like Canada are getting sick and tired of Trump and his bullying tactics and are starting to punch back against his regressive trade policies.
American allies such as Canada are getting sick and tired of Trump and his antics – from his withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Paris Agreement and his violation of the Iran Nuclear deal to his recent trade wars and policy of separating migrant children from their parents as a means of deterring immigration.
Leading Canadian news magazine Macleans has been spearheading much of the country’s push-back against the Trump regime and led the charge with a bold new plan targeting key states and the Republican leadership in a bold move to help swing the midterm elections against the party of Trump.
Macleans set their plan in motion shortly after Trump announced his tariffs with the publication of an article which “compiled a list of products” that Canadians can support “at the expense of their American counterparts.”
In other words, Macleans is calling for a boycott of American products currently on Canada’s tariffs list.
But wait, it gets better. They are not calling for any old boycott. Nope, they are targeting key swing states and home states of leading Republicans, such as Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
The aim of that plan is two-fold, as Macleans explained to fellow Canadians:
“In some cases, you’ll be ramping up pressure in key U.S. political constituencies by foregoing products on Canada’s tariff list. In others, you’ll be boosting Canadian-based operations whose supply networks span the border, reminding Americans which country imports more of their goods and services than any other.”
Below are the products targeted in swing states:
- Orange Juice: As Macleans explained, it targets Florida: “known for being an orange juice producer and a volatile swing state.”
- Treats: “Chocolate, licorice candy and other sugar confectionery are also on the tariff list. It’s another cleverly aimed levy, this time directed at the swing state of Pennsylvania. The state is home to the Hershey factory, famous for its chocolate products as well as Twizzlers licorice.”
- Toilet Paper: “It’s another tariff targeted at Pennsylvania. Kimberly-Clark operates a paper mill in Chester, Pa., producing Scott toilet paper. Charmin toilet paper also comes from the Keystone state, as Procter & Gamble has a plant in the town of Mehoopany. “
- Peanut Butter and Jam: “Jif [peanut butter] is owned by the J.M. Smucker Company, which produces Smucker’s jam, jelly and marmalade in Orrville, Ohio.”
- Soup: “Earlier this year, Campbell’s announced that it would close its plant in Toronto and shift operations to facilities in North Carolina, Ohio and Texas.” While Texas isn’t a swing-state, North Carolina and Ohio are both “perennial” swing states.
And below products associated with the home states of the Republican leadership:
- American-made Whiskey: As Macleans explained: “This includes bourbon from Kentucky, the home state of Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.”
- Yogurt: “Republican Speaker Paul Ryan is likely unhappy with this tariff—his home state of Wisconsin is well-known for its dairy exports.”
- Cucumbers and other Produce: “You’ll also be paying more for cucumbers and gherkins, more products that Paul Ryan’s Wisconsin is known for. Instead, look to Lakeside Packers, a family-owned operation based in Harrow, Ont., that stands as one of the last remaining pickle packers in Canada… However, the harsh Canadian climate poses a bit of a challenge for some fruits and vegetables, such as avocados. If you can’t get it from this country, consider getting it from Mexico and stand with another NAFTA partner being targeted by Trump.”
- Flavored Carbonated Water: “It’s yet another Wisconsin product being tariffed. The state is home to LaCroix, a brand of flavoured sparkling water.”
- Soy Sauce: “Kikkoman is among the world’s most popular soy sauce brands, and its products are ubiquitous in the international aisle of any grocery store. Just like cucumbers and dairy, Kikkoman’s soy sauce also comes from the Badger State [Paul Ryan’s Wisconsin].”
- Peanut Butter: “Jif peanut butter also comes from Mitch McConnell’s Kentucky.”
This sentiment extends an earlier call by former Canadian diplomat, Scott Gilmore, who has written extensively for Maclean’s Magazine about the Trump regime.
A few weeks ago, Gilmore called for a coordinated Canadian boycott targeting Trump and his family members.
His article included a list of companies to boycott that are either owned by Trump and his family or ones that sell or otherwise promote Trump goods and services.
“Let’s hit him where it hurts, shall we?” he wrote in the subtitle of the article.
Gilmore prefaced his call-to-action, writing:
You all have your reasons. Some are furious about domestic policies that lock child asylum seekers in cages. For others, it’s a foreign policy that supports Russia and denigrates allies. Maybe it’s just the man himself, who boasts of assaulting women. Or, it might even be the tariffs, sparking unnecessary trade wars that are killing jobs in the U.S. and abroad. Whatever the reason, you’re reading this because you want to hit back and hurt Trump in the only place he cares about – his wallet.
He explained to his fellow Canadians that “targeted sanctions” imposed by governments “take time.” However, “[you] can move much faster and are far stronger than you realize. Just ask Roseanne Barr, who recently lost her job just hours after individual consumers threatened the ABC network with a boycott. These same market forces can be applied to Trump.”
Gilmore’s article concluded with a list of companies to boycott, “compiled with the assistance of data collected by the Grab Your Wallet campaign.”
Concluding his instructions, Gilmore noted that “There are four different ways Canadians can use this list:”
- “Start by simply boycotting these businesses.
- “Contact the company to explain why you are boycotting.
- “Use social media like Twitter and Facebook to address these companies in public.
- “Send this list to your like-minded friends so they can do the same.”
And the best part is that you can take this advice yourself and use this list whether you are Canadian or from the United States or any other individual who opposes the Trump regime.
Why wait for the midterm elections? Here’s something you can do today to put pressure on Trump’s lawless regime.
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