Big Mac? Non. Coke? Non. Tesla? Pfff: 'le boycott' of US goods hits the boulevards

The nation has been urged to shun Trump's America, but teenagers can't resist French fries

- Kim Willsher

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.

A poll, which splashed the front page of the Libération newspaper last week, found that more than six out of 10 French people support shunning American products, and almost one in three are already avoiding them.

The #BoycottUSA hashtag has spread across social media networks in what researchers say is a “historic collapse” of the US's image in France, America's third largest European trading partner.

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.

Alain, 43, a pest controller, walked past carrying a Nike bag, having just bought new trainers. “I understand the boycott, but they are the best and they are what I always buy,” he said.