Yesterday, President Trump declared economic war on eight European nations. Today, millions of Europeans are asking: What can I do?
The answer is simpler than you think: Stop buying American products.
This isn’t a boycott. It’s economic self-defense. It’s choosing European jobs over American profits. It’s voting with your wallet for a Europe that won’t be bullied, threatened, or coerced.
Here’s exactly how to do it.
Before we dive into the how, let’s understand the impact:
| If This Many Europeans… | Shift This Much Monthly… | Annual Impact on US Companies |
|---|---|---|
| 10 million (2% of affected countries) | €100/month from US to EU brands | €12 billion loss |
| 50 million (10% of affected countries) | €100/month from US to EU brands | €60 billion loss |
| 100 million (20% of affected countries) | €100/month from US to EU brands | €120 billion loss |
Source: Calculations based on European consumer spending data and affected population of ~500 million across eight countries.
The message is clear: Individual choices, multiplied by millions, become economic force. Trump wants to use tariffs as a weapon? Europeans can respond with purchasing power.
Grab your phone and open your banking app. Look at your last month of purchases. How many went to American companies?
Common American Purchases to Identify:
| Category | Common US Brands | Monthly Spending (Typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming | Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+ | €10-30 |
| Coffee Shops | Starbucks | €20-60 |
| Fast Food | McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King, Domino’s | €30-80 |
| Technology | Apple, Microsoft, Amazon | €10-200+ |
| Clothing | Nike, Levi’s, Gap, Under Armour | €20-100 |
| Beverages | Coca-Cola, Pepsi products | €15-40 |
| Software/Services | Adobe, Zoom, Dropbox | €10-50 |
Action Item: Write down your top 5 American purchases by monthly spending. These are your targets.
For each American brand you identified, find a European alternative. Here’s how:
☕ Coffee & Food:
👕 Fashion & Apparel:
📱 Technology:
🎬 Entertainment:
🥤 Food & Beverages:
Action Item: For each of your top 5 American purchases, write down 2-3 European alternatives you can try this week.
Don’t try to change everything at once. Start with one category per week.
Week 1: Coffee
Week 2: Streaming
Week 3: Fast Food
Week 4: Shopping
Week 5: Technology
Week 6: Clothing
Action Item: Put reminders in your phone for each week’s category switch.
| American Brand | Danish/Nordic Alternative | Why It’s Better |
|---|---|---|
| Starbucks | Lagkagehuset (Ole & Steen) | The gold standard for Danish coffee and bakery culture. |
| Nike | Hummel | A legendary Danish sportswear brand that remains locally owned. |
| H&M… wait | That’s already Swedish! | Keep supporting Nordic brands |
More Resources: Invest in Denmark – Danish Business Directory
| American Brand | Norwegian Alternative | Why It’s Better |
|---|---|---|
| Nike | Norrøna / Bergans | Fiercely independent, designed for Norwegian conditions (Note: Helly Hansen is now US-owned) |
| Starbucks | Kaffebrenneriet | The original Oslo roastery experience |
| Apple Music | Tidal | Maintains significant European operations, high-fidelity focus |
More Resources: Business Norway – Innovation Norway
| American Brand | Swedish Alternative | Why It’s Better |
|---|---|---|
| Burger King | Max Burgers | Swedish chain, sustainable practices, better burgers |
| Apple Music | Spotify | Swedish company, supports local tech |
| Ford | Polestar | Swedish design, electric innovation |
More Resources: Business Sweden
| American Brand | French Alternative | Why It’s Better |
|---|---|---|
| McDonald’s | Quick | Classic French fast-food with revitalized 2026 menu |
| Heinz Ketchup | Amora | French pantry staple since 1919 |
| Microsoft Cloud | OVHcloud | Keep data on European soil, away from US surveillance |
More Resources: Business France – Invest in France
| American Brand | German Alternative | Why It’s Better |
|---|---|---|
| Ford / Tesla | Volkswagen / BMW | Engineering power of the EU heartland |
| Gillette | Mühle / Merkur | Precision Solingen steel, built to last a lifetime |
| Budweiser | Bitburger / Paulaner | Real beer brewed under Reinheitsgebot (Purity Law) |
More Resources: Germany Trade & Invest
| American Brand | British Alternative | Why It’s Better |
|---|---|---|
| Starbucks | Caffè Nero | European family-owned business headquartered in London |
| Amazon | John Lewis | UK’s largest employee-owned business |
| Boots (Pharmacy) | Superdrug | Avoid US-owned Boots; Superdrug is non-US (AS Watson group) |
More Resources: Department for Business and Trade – Business.gov.uk
| American Brand | Dutch Alternative | Why It’s Better |
|---|---|---|
| Levi’s | Mud Jeans | Dutch circular denim pioneers; lease option ensures recycling |
| Starbucks | Coffeecompany | Amsterdam-born favorite, profits stay in Low Countries |
| eBay | Marktplaats | The definitive Dutch choice for local trading |
More Resources: Invest in Holland – Netherlands Business Support
| American Brand | Finnish Alternative | Why It’s Better |
|---|---|---|
| McDonald’s | Hesburger | Turku-born giant dominating Finnish fast-food scene |
| Nike | Karhu | Finland’s historic sports brand (worn by legendary Paavo Nurmi) |
| Jack Daniel’s | Koskenkorva | Pure Finnish spirit distilled in village of Koskenkorva |
More Resources: Business Finland – Invest in Finland
Your individual choices matter, but your influence matters more.
Share Your Switches:
Impact Calculation:
American companies respond to customer feedback. Let them know why you’re switching.
Template Email:
Subject: Customer Feedback - Switching to European Alternatives
Dear [Company Name],
I am writing to inform you that I am discontinuing my use of your products/services and switching to European alternatives.
This decision is in response to the Trump administration's tariff threats against European nations, including [your country]. I cannot in good conscience continue supporting American companies while the US government engages in economic warfare against my country and our allies.
I will reconsider this decision if/when:
1. The tariff threats are withdrawn
2. [Company] publicly opposes these tariffs
3. US policy returns to respecting European sovereignty
Until then, I am supporting European businesses.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Country]Where to send:
Don’t just avoid American—actively support European.
Beyond Purchases:
Create a simple spreadsheet to track your economic resistance:
Monthly Tracker Template:
| Month | American Spending | European Spending | Switches Made | Money Redirected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | €250 | €100 | Started tracking | Baseline |
| Feb 2026 | €180 | €170 | Coffee, streaming | €70 to Europe |
| Mar 2026 | €120 | €230 | Added fast food | €130 to Europe |
| Apr 2026 | €80 | €270 | Added clothing | €170 to Europe |
12-Month Goal: Reduce American spending by 75%, redirect €2,000+ to European businesses.
Q: “But European alternatives are more expensive!”
A: Not usually. Let’s compare:
| Product | American Brand | European Brand | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee (daily) | Starbucks €4.50 | Local café €3.50 | €30/month savings |
| Jeans | Levi’s €100 | G-Star RAW €110 | €10 more, better quality |
| Streaming | Netflix €13 | BBC iPlayer FREE | €156/year savings |
| Fast food | McDonald’s €9 | Local restaurant €12 | €3 more, better food |
Many European alternatives are actually cheaper AND better quality.
Q: “What if there’s no European alternative?”
A: Three options:
Q: “Won’t this hurt ordinary American workers?”
A: American workers aren’t making these tariff decisions. Trump is. If American workers want European consumers back, they should pressure their government to:
Economic consequences should flow to those making economic threats.
Q: “Is this legal?”
A: Absolutely. You have the right to choose where you spend your money. This isn’t a coordinated boycott—it’s millions of individuals making informed consumer choices based on their values and geopolitical realities.
Q: “Will this actually work?”
A: History says yes. Consumer movements have changed corporate behavior countless times:
The difference? This isn’t even a boycott. It’s simply preferring your own continent’s products. That’s not radical—it’s common sense.
This isn’t just about Trump’s tariffs. It’s about European economic independence.
For decades, Europe has been too dependent on American:
This moment is an opportunity to build a more resilient, self-sufficient European economy. Trump’s aggression is revealing a vulnerability—and giving Europeans the motivation to fix it.
Imagine a Europe where:
That Europe is possible. It starts with your next purchase.
Take Action Today: Your 24-Hour Challenge
In the next 24 hours, commit to ONE of these actions:
✅ Delete one American app and replace it with a European alternative
✅ Cancel one American subscription (Netflix, Apple Music, etc.) and try a European service
✅ Visit a local European business you’ve never tried instead of an American chain
✅ Buy one European product instead of an American brand you usually purchase
✅ Share this article with 5 friends who care about European sovereignty
✅ Send a customer feedback email to one American company explaining your switch
Pick ONE. Do it today. Build from there.
Trump wants to use tariffs as a weapon against Europe. Europeans can respond with something more powerful: purchasing power.
Every euro you spend is a vote.
Vote for:
The choice is yours. The time is now.
Start with one switch. Share this guide. Watch the impact multiply.
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