As trade war drags on, fewer Canadians boycotting U.S. products: poll

A new survey suggest support for buying Canadian products amid the U.S. trade war is falling.

For some Canadians, the days of checking “product of” labels to send a message to Washington, D.C., have come to an end.

According to a recent Research Co. poll, the number of Canadians who are avoiding the purchase of American goods has dropped by four percentage points since March.

Overall, the company found 60 per cent of Canadians still favour non-U.S. goods when they’re available.

“While the proportion of Canadians who are actively boycotting products made in the United States has subsided over the past two months, it still encompasses a sizeable majority across the country,” Research Co. said, in a news release.

The poll also found fewer Canadians are eschewing American restaurant franchises in Canada, with only 36 per cent doing so, a decrease of five percentage points from March.

Those who have cancelled a planned trip to the United States now sit at 35 per cent, down two percentage points.

Across the border in Washington state, Bellingham and Seattle both feel the impacts of British Columbian boycotts.

The Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce said border traffic fell more than 50 per cent year over year in April, and businesses in Whatcom County are suffering because of it.

“It’s been somewhere between volatile and a pretty sizable decline,” said Guy Occhiogrosso, the chamber’s president.

Occhiogrosso went on to say that he hopes the tension between the two countries can ease and cross-border travel for groceries, clothing and other products will return to the way it once was, as the local economy benefits from the additional traffic.

The City of Seattle is also facing the impacts. Although hard data has yet to be released, tourism officials have noted a clear decrease in B.C. licence plates.

“What we’re seeing is certainly a decline right now,” said Michael Woody, the chief strategy officer for Visit Seattle. “Very saddening for us because we love our friends in Canada.”

Woody added that the number of Canadians arriving by plane dropped 20 per cent in February, but is now down 12 per cent.

Similair to those in Bellingham, Seattle officials are hopeful Canucks will come back – but understand that the bruises from some of the political rhetoric over recent months could take some time to heal.

“The most important thing is that we love you, neighbours. And we’re ready for you to come back when you’re ready,” said Woody.

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump announced he planned to increase tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from 25 per cent to 50 per cent.

The drastic change has sent shockwaves across B.C. as communities like Kitimat rely on selling aluminum to American partners.

UBC political scientist Torsten Jaccard told CTV News that pre-Trump, tariff rates were one to three percent, and the increases will impact both sides of the border.

“This is a significant departure from almost 100 years of economic integration, and will carry significant costs for both sides involved,” said Jaccard.

Potentially reviving the sense of patriotism when it comes to purchases, which has been lost in recent months.

Jaccard went on to explain that Canadian imports account for about 25 per cent of total U.S. steel use, and Canada is the largest supplier of foreign steel.

“Canadian steel exports account for maybe a third of total U.S. steel imports. So the U.S. does have other options, which does not bode well for Canadian steel producers,” said Jaccard.

“Aluminum is the opposite.”

Jaccard said Canadians will probably face the brunt of U.S. tariffs but for aluminum, he expects the tariffs will be quite costly to Americans