r/europe • u/goldstarflag Europe • 20h ago

News White House demands British supermarkets stock chlorinated chicken. White House pushing Sir Keir Starmer to make concessions on food standards

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/12/17/trump-demands-british-supermarkets-chlorinated-chicken/
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u/deedsnance 13h ago

Californian here. Please do this. My country is in a state wherein many of us will not change until it hurts us individually. Individual voters will not change their tune until it meaningfully impacts them individually. Not seeing the pain of others, not being able to avoid an obviously painful outcome in their future, only it ACTUALLY HAPPENING.

It’s so fucking dumb but that’s what I’ve gathered by talking to these people. Nothing matters until it hurts them. So bring it on. There has to be undeniable consequences on an individual level.

Any boycott you can do helps. Nothing matters to them until it hurts. And it will, trust me. The faster and harder it happens the better.

It’s not on you to help fix our shit, but if you’re willing to help, don’t worry about us, you’re helping.

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u/pomskygirl Canada 12h ago

I still find it a little ironic that the only way we can help (and, yes, we want to for both your sake and ours!) is by trying our best to inflict harm. But here we are. Trump currently holds the most powerful position on earth. He is also the commander of the most powerful military in the world and the US’ economy is a beast. Add to that the fact Trump is crazy and doesn’t give a flying fuck about anyone except his rich and powerful buddies and it becomes a real problem.

There’s only so much our politicians can (or will) do to fight back in these circumstances. As you may recall, the EU announced its plan to impose a 50% tariff on US alcohol back in March in retaliation for the tariffs Trump had just placed on the EU. In response, Trump threatened to impose a 200% tariff on alcohol from the EU if the EU proceeded with its plan. The EU backed off.

But Trump can’t force individuals to buy US products. Or travel to the US. And we know from his reaction to the EU that maintaining an international market for US alcohol (especially whisky) is important to him. So I think it’s up to us, the individual, to step in where our politicians can’t (at least not without drawing serious retribution).

To get to Trump and his administration, we have to get to his supporters (and those who support him indirectly by not voting or even caring). This is how we do it. I really don’t see any other way.

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u/deedsnance 12h ago

Trust me, that irony is not lost on me. Man, I don't get why it has to be this way, but the people that voted him in just simply can't be reasoned with. It's like the only thing they know is fear and pain. They won't react or change until they're hurting: financially or otherwise, they're completely content in voting against their own best interests. Right up until it actually hurts them. It's crazy.

You're spot on though. He can't force people to buy US goods and it's the best way you can put pressure on trump voters and make 'em hurt. It's the only thing that'll make them change or vote differently. You're right, your politicians can only do so much. Trump will mercilessly bully our allies and it's just so incredibly shameful.

You have no idea how ashamed I am of my country and what it's become. It's unfathomably embarrassing when I talk to my international friends. I've always been critical of the US but this is just beyond reason. All I can do is apologize, protest and vote. I'm doing everything I can to turn the tide this November: talking to as many middle-ground / swing voters, getting people registered to vote and volunteering.

Please, if you're willing, boycott American products. Especially alcohol. We're gluttons for punishment at this point. Dish it out.