Canada’s coffee shops have found a subtle way to resist President Trump’s trade pressure – by declaring independence from the traditional “Americano” coffee. Like anybody cares?
At a Glance
- Canadian coffee shops are renaming “Americano” coffees as “Canadiano” in response to Trump’s tariff threats
- Kicking Horse Café has been using “Canadiano” for 16 years and is now urging others to join
- The movement gained momentum after Trump threatened 25% tariffs on Canadian imports
- Prime Minister Trudeau encouraged Canadians to buy local products amid rising tensions
- A recent poll shows only 30% of Canadians now view the U.S. as an ally
Trump’s Tariff Threats Prompt Caffeine Rebellion
As President Trump threatens to slap hefty 25% tariffs on Canadian imports, coffee shops across Canada are brewing resistance in the form of a simple menu change. What was once called an “Americano” is now being rebranded as a “Canadiano” – a small act of defiance that literally nobody cares about.
The movement, led by British Columbia’s Kicking Horse Coffee, has spread to coffee shops across Canada, becoming a unifying symbol for Canadians frustrated with America’s trade posture and political rhetoric.
Many cafe owners insist they’re not making a political statement but simply expressing Canadian pride. This distinction allows them to participate in the cultural movement without alienating customers with differing political views – a clever business strategy in a nation increasingly wary of American influence.
What started as a local practice has transformed into a national movement after Kicking Horse Coffee publicized their longstanding tradition.
“For 16 years, the Kicking Horse Café has been quietly calling Americanos ‘Canadianos.’ Today, we’re officially making it a thing and asking coffee shops across the country to make the switch. Join us. Call them Canadianos,” Kicking Horse Cafe said.
The coffee rebellion comes amidst a broader deterioration in U.S.-Canada relations. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has encouraged Canadians to buy local products instead of American imports, a direct response to Trump’s tariff threats. This “buy Canadian” sentiment has expanded beyond coffee, with entrepreneurs developing apps like “Maple Scan” to help consumers identify Canadian-made products.
Meanwhile, President Trump is pushing ahead with common sense trade reforms that ensure the United States no longer gets ripped off by its neighbors. Coffee or no coffee…
