Key Takeaways
- The "Elbows Up" movement in Canada was a response to US President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Canada and led to a boycott of US products.
- Canadians deliberately spent their money closer to home, boycotting US goods and services, including wine, spirits, and travel to the US.
- The boycott had a significant impact on the US economy, with exports of American spirits to Canada falling 85% in the second quarter of 2025.
- The US tourism industry also suffered, with a forecasted decline of 3.2% in international tourism spending in 2025, largely due to a decline in Canadian visitors.
- The boycott also affected specific industries, such as the Florida orange juice industry, which saw a significant drop in exports to Canada.
Introduction to the Elbows Up Movement
The "Elbows Up" movement in Canada became a rallying cry, a cultural touchstone, and a marketing strategy in response to US President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Canada. The movement, which started as a response to Trump’s tariffs, also came to symbolize the boycott of US products. Canadians deliberately tried to spend their money closer to home, boycotting everything from US booze and streaming services to Disney vacations. The movement gained significant traction, with 1.4-million-member strong Facebook groups and apps being downloaded to avoid US products.
The Impact on the US Spirits Industry
The boycott had a significant impact on the US spirits industry, with exports of American spirits to Canada falling 85% in the second quarter of 2025. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States reported that sales of US spirits in Canada declined 68% in April, while sales of Canadian and other imported spirits each rose about 3.6%. The council also noted that the international market is especially critical for US whisky producers, which are facing stagnating domestic sales and record-high inventory levels. The data showed that bottled exports of bourbon whisky to Canada from January to September dropped about 60% compared with a year earlier, while exports of bottled or bulk rum to Canada decreased 49% during the same period.
The Effect on US Tourism
The boycott also had a significant impact on the US tourism industry, with a forecasted decline of 3.2% in international tourism spending in 2025. The US Travel Association attributed the loss to a decline in Canadian visitors, who traditionally make up the largest group of international tourists to the US. The association reported that Canadian-resident return trips from the US by air fell 19.3% in November compared with the same month in 2024, while Canadian-resident return trips by automobile dropped 28.6%. The decline in Canadian tourism has hurt businesses in several states, with a report prepared by the Democratic minority of the US Congress’s joint economic committee warning that the drop in Canadian tourism is putting many American businesses in jeopardy.
The Impact on the Florida Orange Juice Industry
The boycott also affected specific industries, such as the Florida orange juice industry. Ottawa’s counter-tariffs specifically targeted orange juice from Florida, home to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach. The monthly value of US shipments of fresh orange juice to Canada started dropping dramatically in March, and by June, the value had plummeted to its lowest level in more than 20 years. The numbers have climbed slightly since then, but by September, they were still 54% lower than they were in January, when Trump took office. Experts noted that the marked drop in imports was compounded by the ongoing consumer desire to buy Canadian, with some Canadian businesses stopping serving orange juice as they rethink their relationship with US products.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the "Elbows Up" movement in Canada had a significant impact on the US economy, with the boycott of US products affecting various industries, including the spirits and tourism industries. The movement also had a specific impact on the Florida orange juice industry, with a significant drop in exports to Canada. The boycott demonstrated the power of consumer choice and the ability of Canadians to make a statement through their purchasing decisions. As the US and Canada continue to navigate their trade relationship, it will be interesting to see how the "Elbows Up" movement evolves and what impact it will have on the US economy in the future.