Key Takeaways:
- Denmark is pushing back against the US through mobile apps that scan everyday products and boycott those associated with the US.
- The most popular app, Boykot Trump, has become the No. 1 free-to-download application in Apple’s App Store in Denmark.
- Institutional investors in Denmark are also turning their backs on the US, with AkademikerPension exiting its entire holding of US government bonds.
- The boycott is a response to President Donald Trump’s approach, which has unsettled, insulted, and infuriated many people across Europe.
- The movement is not limited to Denmark, with the app being made available in several languages, including German and English.
Introduction to the Boycott
The relationship between Denmark and the US has become increasingly strained since President Donald Trump began threatening to grab Greenland, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. In response, the Danes have turned to mobile apps to scan everyday products and boycott those associated with the US. One such app, Boykot Trump, has become the No. 1 free-to-download application in Apple’s App Store in Denmark, with downloads exploding in recent weeks. The app’s co-creator, 21-year-old Jonas Pipper, calls it a "weapon in the trade war for consumers" that is empowering regular Danes to send a signal to the US.
The App’s Functionality
The app allows users to scan the barcode of a product and checks if it is associated with the US. If it is, the app assigns a failing red X, indicating that the product should be boycotted. On the other hand, products that are not associated with the US, such as Vegemite and Chateauneuf-du-Pape, receive a passing green checkmark. The app has become a popular way for Danes to express their dissatisfaction with the US and its policies. Pipper notes that the app is not just limited to Denmark, but is being made available in several languages, including German and English, and will soon be downloadable on Android phones.
Institutional Investors Join the Boycott
Institutional investors in Denmark are also starting to turn their backs on the US. On January 20, AkademikerPension announced that it was exiting its entire holding of US government bonds, citing a range of issues including Greenland, the ostensible lack of US fiscal decline, and a weak dollar. The move was symbolic, but it drew global attention, with Treasury yields rising on the news. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dismissed the move, saying that Denmark’s investments in US Treasury bonds, like Denmark itself, are "irrelevant." However, Anders Schelde, chief investment officer of AkademikerPension, said that the decision to sell was based on a range of issues and that caution towards the US doesn’t begin and end with Trump.
The Complexity of Boycotting US Products
Boycotting US products can be complicated, as many products are distributed or bottled by local companies. For example, Danish brewer Carlsberg A/S bottles and distributes Coca-Cola Co. products in Denmark. This complexity can make it difficult for consumers to determine what products to boycott. Additionally, the app’s methodology for determining whether a product is associated with the US may not always be accurate. However, the app’s creators are working to improve its functionality and make it more user-friendly.
The Broader Impact
The boycott is not limited to Denmark, with the app being made available in several languages. The movement is part of a broader trend of consumers outside the US seeking to boycott American goods in response to Trump’s policies. While the intensity and longevity of these movements have varied over time, the Danish app has shown significant staying power. Pipper notes that the app is being downloaded by people all over the world, including in the US. The app’s availability in the US has raised the possibility that even Trump himself could use it, although it is unlikely that he would.
Conclusion
The Danish boycott of US products is a significant response to Trump’s approach, which has unsettled, insulted, and infuriated many people across Europe. While the boycott may not have a significant impact on US exports, it is a symbol of the growing dissatisfaction with US policies among consumers and institutional investors. The app’s creators are working to improve its functionality and make it more user-friendly, and its availability in several languages has made it a global phenomenon. As the relationship between Denmark and the US continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the boycott movement develops and what impact it has on US exports and policies.
