6d ago

Le boycott: French customers shun McDonald’s, Coca Cola and Tesla to protest against Trump

www.theguardian.com

France has been urged to shun Maga America as #BoycottUSA hashtag spreads, but teenagers say they can’t afford to join the action

Archived version: https://archive.is/20250329184248/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/29/boycott-french-customers-mcdonalds-coca-cola-trump-tesla

Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.

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Students Mathieu, 16, Jade, 15, and Esther, 17, heading in to the McDonald’s on Friday, were not about to be diverted by trade tariffs, however. “I understand why people are suggesting we avoid American products, but it’s something people with money can afford to do. As students we can’t,” Jade said.
Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Tesla, Starbucks, KFC and X are among the US brands that have been cited as those to be shunned. Those questioned by pollsters also cited Apple, Microsoft, booking platforms Airbnb and Tripadvisor, Nike and Converse.
I don't believe Starbucks KFC and McDonald's are the cheapest options for students. But I don't live in France so I don't know. I would have guessed making your own sandwich at home and bringing your own drink would have been considerably cheaper than McTrash.
- I can only speak for the UK, but the multinational fast-foods are almost never the cheaper option compared to just getting something from a local takeaway.
  Though I know from my student days that there are plenty of students who will happily go around claiming they're broke while only eating expensive food, as though one didn't cause the other.
  
  Same here is Australia too. I never understood uni students buying domino's pizza when it is smaller, shitter and more expensive than a local pizza joint.
- Yeah that's fucking bullshit. Mcdonalds isn't very cheap at all.
- To me it's a fake argument. High schoolers in France don't have jobs for the most part and fully rely on their parents. This is probably in Paris so it would be the case, and with those names it is likely the case, also saying something about their parents class
  As a cultural side note, French people don't really make sandwiches at home to eat at school or work. They would for a picnic, train trip, and when they have little time to eat or they know they'll have no cutlery available

Huuh? Great they have somehow a mean, I guess? But they should shift their perspective on why they should boycott not only US based multibillon dollar companies but every company involved in destroying our only home, fragile body, our kids future? ...
But whatever 🤷‍♂️
- Yes, excellent idea, stop participating in society. /s
  
  Huh? Never did I mentioned to not participate in society. On the contrary. However I find it a bit hypocrite...
  Would France boycott coca cola, McD, Tesla if Trump wasn't elected? ://
  France should boycott France?! Let's be realistic, how does someone like Macron is still in power despite the new votes to take him down?
  Just my personal opinion, I'm not versed enough in politics to judge anyone. However, I have read a lot about how those multi billion dollar companies destroy our kids future...
  Boycott for the real reason, not with a sketchy political background !

Keep them poor so they can’t fight. Then say the reason they are poor is people want to fight. Fall in line and you’ll get jobs. Welcome to tyranny.

On the rainy Grands Boulevards in Paris on Friday, the branches of McDonald’s and KFC were doing brisk business.
There was little sign of “le boycott” – a movement among French customers to reject American brands and products made in the US, in protest at Donald Trump’s trade tariffs and anti-Europe rhetoric.

11 comments