Five Reasons To Stop Supporting US Companies

Australia has stood by the US on trade, investment, security, and global affairs for at least a Century. My Grandad fought proudly alongside US soldiers in WWII. We’ve fought with it in all its wars since! But along with Donald Trump, the MAGA movement, and the rise of billionaires with questionable ethics, has come US authoritarianism, beligerence, mistreatment of allies and friends, and human rights infringements. It’s time as Australians we ask ourselves: should we keep supporting the US and its corporations?

Around the world, citizens in other countries that have been close friends of the US are already doing this. In Canada, boycotts of American products are growing in response to Trump’s massive tariffs. In Germany and France, consumer movements are rejecting US brands over Washington’s reckless foreign policy.

Here in Australia, there are compelling reasons to rethink our consumer choices too. If citizens in Canada and Europe are drawing a line, maybe it’s time we did too. Here are five reasons why Australian citizens should start boycotting US companies, goods, and services.

1. The US is Abusive and No Longer a Reliable Ally

Under Trump, the US is imposing unfair tariffs on Australia, Canada, Mexico and the EU, while cozying up to authoritarian regimes like Russia and Saudi Arabia. Over the next four years, Trump’s bullying trade war tactics will almost certainly escalate. He has previously targeted Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme that keeps the costs of prescription medications affordable for us. In the US, companies get to charge what ever they want and people have to mortgage their homes to pay for cancer drugs. We don't want that here.

Why should we continue buying American products when the US government treats us, at best, as just another bargaining chip?

2. US Billionaires Are Bankrolling Fascism

Many of the world’s most powerful corporations are American, and some of their leaders are now openly supporting far-right movements. Elon Musk has amplified white nationalist rhetoric on his X platform (formerly Twitter) while undermining workers’ rights at Tesla and SpaceX. And he has abused South Africa and interfered in German politics promoting the far right. Other US billionaires, including oil magnates and tech giants, fund anti-democratic campaigns and climate denial to protect their wealth.

By continuing to buy US brands, Australians are indirectly funding the same forces and people that threaten democracy, human rights, and climate action globally.

3. US Companies Are Exploiting Workers and Undermining Fair Wages

The US is notorious for its low wages, no universal paid leave, and aggressive union-busting. Companies like Amazon, Starbucks, and Tesla have all been caught suppressing workers’ rights, using surveillance to intimidate employees, and shutting down unions. Under Trump and Musk, they're now winding back diversity and inclusion. Amazon, Google, Meta, Target, Walmart, and McDonald's have all reduced or eliminated their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs following Donald Trump's election.

Why should Australians support businesses that don't believe in a fair go and treat workers like they're disposable, especially when we have local and other alternatives that respect fair pay and conditions?

4. US Tech and Media Giants Are Undermining Democracy

American tech corporations dominate our digital space, at significant cost. Social media platforms owned by US billionaires, such as Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), are amplifying disinformation, extremist propaganda, and conspiracy theories. They're cutting back on fact-checking and moderation and refusing to deal with hate speech.

Meanwhile, Hollywood and streaming services are pushing an increasingly US-centric worldview. By cow-towing to Trump, they're drowning out diverse perspectives - including Australian stories. If we want to support our own content creators, it’s time to stop feeding the US monopolies that profit from division and misinformation.

5. US Corporate Power is Blocking Climate Action

Some of the worst polluters and climate deniers are American companies. Oil giants like ExxonMobil and Chevron knew about the climate crisis for decades but funded misinformation to delay action. Even supposed “green” businesses like Tesla, Apple and US Banks are now walking back on climate commitments.

Australia has some of the best renewable energy opportunities in the world. Why should we rely on US companies when we could be supporting ethical, homegrown solutions?

So What’s the Alternative?

Boycotting US companies doesn’t mean giving up everything. And it doesn't have to be absolute. It means being more mindful of where we spend our money. It means avoiding or reducing US products and companies where possible. Here are some alternatives:

• Cars & EVs: Consider Korean, Japanese or European vehicles over Tesla, Ford, GM etc.

• Retail & Services: Choose Australian-owned businesses and ethical global brands instead of Coke, Pepsi, Amazon, KFC, McDonald’s etc.

• Streaming & Media: Watch and support more Australian content rather than Hollywood narratives. Stream for free at SBS On Demand and on ABC iView!

• Tech & Social Media: Support independent platforms, use ethical search engines, and limit engagement with disinformation-heavy US apps.

This is about more than rejecting fascism and MAGA-movement nastiness - it’s about standing up for Australia. And it's about democracy, human rights, and climate justice. If US keeps hitting Australia with tarrifs and its corporations continue to enable authoritarianism, exploit people, and block climate progress, then Australians have every reason to hit them where it hurts: their bottom line.

The world is changing. Our consumer choices can too.

Would you like me to research and post about key US products and companies to avoid and what to buy instead? Let me know and share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below.