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Avoiding US goods and services – from tech to whisky to air travel – has forced many to find a new way of living
This week the US imposed 50% tariffs on US$20bn (£15bn) of Canadian goods, and Mark Carney, the country’s prime minister, has vowed to match them “dollar for dollar” after the collapse of trade talks between the two countries last weekend. Donald Trump retaliated on Thursday by ordering the federal government to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America.
Such actions have added fuel to a widespread boycott of US products and services by Canadians that began early last year in response to the president’s trade war and threats to annex his northern neighbour.
More than 3,500 people from across Canada shared with the Guardian via an online callout how they have made changes to their lives in response to the US administration’s political and economic stance. Many expressed deep anger and sadness, but remained resolute that this was now a new way of living.
It’s really not weird at all. It’s the same in EU. If I order something from another continent. Chances are pretty high it’s going to go through Germany before making its way up here to Sweden.
Canada is 40 million to the US 350. So it makes more sense to have things go through the country where your biggest market is, and have it distributed out from there.
Ofc I’m just speaking very broadly. There’s a difference if you import directly yourself, or if they’re going through a Canadian vendor
No in Europe most goes through Netherlands because it’s the best geographical placement. Especially for Germany that is the biggest market of a single country.
It doesn’t go to Norway which is further away, or Spain which is also further away. It is going the most practical route which is often through the Netherlands.
Seem to me that goods going between Canada and Europe going over USA is sending it on a detour, that makes the shipping route longer. Having it go over USA first is like having it go over Mexico, except less extreme.
It depends on what it is you’re buying and how it’s getting there. If I’m ordering something from China. I’m not gonna get it shipped. Because that will take ages. It’ll go on a transport plane. And every single time I’ve ordered things, they’ve been flown to Germany first.
Items being shipped between Europe and NA is not going on a detour to land in the US. Especially not if it’s imported by a vendor. The vendor will pick the cheapest option. And trucking through Canadian wilderness isn’t it.
The vast majority of long distance goods is moved by containers. Because it’s the most effective, not fastest, but effective way of travel.
Which is a big reason for warehouses existing, so you can buy your Chinese product. But it only needs to be send from a warehouse in Cologne, rather than as an individually shipped product from Shenzhen
Buddy. I don’t need you to try and guess how my items arrive. I already know this. It’s literally printed on the package.
It may be more effective to store it in a warehouse somewhere in cologne and use a vendor that sources it from there.
But from what I’ve seen, it’s cheaper to buy it from China directly, and have it “shipped” (flown) over. Which is why I do it.
Takes a few days extra. But you’ll pay less.
I don’t know, but what could be at play is the capacity of Montreal and Halifax (I don’t think there is a third port). And what these ports are set up to send/receive.