Danes are ditching American products and fostering a nationwide boycott after President Trump’s controversial statements about acquiring Greenland, sparking a consumer movement that’s rapidly spreading across Europe.
Quick Takes
- Danish citizens have launched a boycott of American goods following Trump’s statements about acquiring Greenland, which belongs to Denmark.
- A Danish Facebook group dedicated to boycotting US products has amassed over 80,000 members sharing European alternatives.
- Denmark’s Salling Group has responded to consumer demand by clearly labeling European-made products.
- Similar boycott movements are emerging in France and other European countries.
- The economic impact may be limited, but the movement represents growing European dissatisfaction with US policies.
Danish Consumers Reject American Products
Danish citizens are increasingly avoiding American-made products following President Trump’s controversial statements regarding Greenland, which is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. The boycott movement has gained significant momentum in recent weeks, with consumers actively seeking European alternatives to US brands.
This consumer-led protest reflects growing resentment toward what many Danes perceive as aggressive American foreign policy and disrespect for Danish sovereignty. The movement has spread primarily through social media, where participants share lists of American products to avoid and European alternatives to purchase instead.
There is a growing movement across Europe and Canada to boycott U.S. products. Feelings are especially strong across the Nordic region — and very possibly strongest in Denmark given President Trump’s threats to seize Greenland.https://t.co/MmydJZ5RY0
— PBS News (@NewsHour) March 17, 2025
Bo Albertus, a Danish school principal who joined the boycott, explained his motivation, stating, “When Trump went on television and said he would by political force or military force take a piece of the Danish kingdom, it was just too much for me.” This sentiment resonates with many Danes who view the boycott as a peaceful way to express their disapproval of American policies.
Social Media Fuels Boycott Movement
The Facebook group “Boykot varer fra USA” (Boycott goods from the USA) has quickly grown to over 80,000 members, becoming a central hub for Danes interested in avoiding American products. Group members actively share recommendations for European alternatives to common US brands and discuss strategies for identifying product origins. This digital community has transformed individual consumer choices into a coordinated movement with increasing visibility across Denmark. Similar groups have emerged in other European countries, particularly in France, where a group called “Boycott USA, Buy French and European!” is gaining membership.
Retailers Respond to Consumer Demand
As the boycott gains momentum, some Danish retailers have begun adjusting their practices to accommodate changing consumer preferences. The Salling Group, a major Danish retail company, has introduced clear labeling for European-made products in response to customer requests. While not officially endorsing the boycott, this move acknowledges the growing demand for non-American alternatives.
Google Trends data shows a significant spike in searches for terms like “Boycott USA” and “Boycott America,” with particularly high interest in Denmark, Canada, and France. This indicates a broadening international awareness of the movement. Some boycotters are even canceling planned trips to the United States and actively avoiding US technology companies like Netflix, Google, and Amazon, though many acknowledge the difficulty in completely avoiding all American products in today’s interconnected global economy.
Impact and Future Prospects
While the economic impact of the boycott remains uncertain, its symbolic significance is clear. Denmark’s trade with the United States represents a relatively small portion of overall US exports, limiting the direct financial consequences for American companies. However, if the movement continues to spread across Europe, particularly to larger economies like France and Germany, the cumulative effect could become more substantial. Beyond economics, the boycott represents an important shift in how European consumers view their relationship with American products and politics.
Experts view the boycott primarily as a symbolic gesture, but one with potential international resonance as it demonstrates how consumer choices can become political statements in a globalized world. For many participants, the boycott provides a sense of agency in international affairs that would otherwise be beyond their influence.
Sources:
- Denmark Boycotts US Goods Over Greenland Threats
- ‘Danish Viking blood is boiling.’ Danes boycott US goods with fervor as others in Europe do so too
- Boycott fever spreads: After Canada, Denmark and Europe join forces in rejecting US products over trade policies
