Do Europeans boycott "American goods" or "American problems"?

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To buy American goods or not to buy them? For Europeans, this has become a dilemma.

Since February, there has been a significant increase in the number of discussions about the "European Boycott of American Goods" campaign on social media platforms such as X. On Facebook, a group in Danish calling for a boycott of US products has grown from 1 000 people at the beginning of February to 72 000 people today. A survey in Sweden showed that nearly four-fifths of respondents can avoid buying American goods in their daily lives. According to the French Federation of the Automotive Industry, Tesla vehicle sales in France fell 26.1 % year-on-year in February. Europe and the USA have long been close allies. Why are the Europeans so determined to boycott American goods this time? Europe and the US have long been close allies. Why are Europeans so determined to boycott American goods this time?

From a direct perspective, this is related to the United States' position on Greenland. There are also tariffs that are closely related to the lives of Europeans. In February this year, the European Union sent trade officials to Washington for talks in response to the threat of a European-American trade war. On 12 March, the United States officially imposed 25% tariffs on all imported steel and aluminium. As the second largest source of steel supplies to the United States, the European Union will bear a huge cost. On the same day, the European Commission announced that it would impose retaliatory tariffs on EUR 26 billion worth of US products from next month.

Sovereignty, security and the economy are the three main interests that Europe values most. It now faces threats, humiliation and blackmail from the United States. Some analysts claim that Europeans are outwardly resisting 'American goods', but in reality they are resisting the 'problems' that the United States has created in Europe.

If the boycott of US goods continues to escalate, US companies will be the most affected. After several rounds of retaliation or counter-attacks, the multilateral trading system could be completely destroyed.

European politicians should reflect on the fact that the spontaneous boycott of American goods is not only a consumer choice, but also a protest against American hegemony and bullying. It is also an expression of European strategic autonomy.

CMG/ gnews.cz - RoZ