What it takes to live an America-free lifestyle in Canada. Spoiler: It's not easy.
Amid the US-Canada trade war, some Canadians are protesting by shopping locally. They're navigating higher prices, "maple-washing," and dupes.
Since the start of the US-Canada trade war in February 2025, some Canadians have been deliberately reducing their shopping options to focus on locally sourced products. President Donald Trump's 50% tariffs on about $20 billion in Canadian goods prompted Canada to retaliate with dollar-for-dollar tariffs, leading to a shift toward buying more local items.
Canadians are discovering great swaps like Ungava Gin and Romeo's Gin, but they often find that there aren't always direct replacements for American goods they're used to purchasing. Some Canadians still prefer certain American products, such as oranges, which are closer to Canada and higher quality. Discovering Canada's homegrown products has led some to visit more local vendors, farms, and boutique shops, finding fresher and cheaper seasonal produce.
However, the process of shopping locally comes with its own costs, sometimes requiring more effort and sometimes being more expensive. The trade war has also prompted some Canadians to focus on travel within their own country, exploring different provinces and enjoying local products like The Green Beaver sunscreen and Slopedeck snowskates.
Written by urgent.news from Business Insider's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
