Article by Viory
A Danish mobile app developer says that tariff threats from US President Donald Trump prompted him to create a so-called boycott app that helps consumers identify American-made products. The app has since seen a surge in users, particularly after Washington’s proposed acquisition of Greenland.
Footage captured on Thursday shows Ian Rosenfeldt, the creator of the Made O’Meter app, walking through a supermarket in Copenhagen, scanning products and demonstrating how the application works.
“I really became motivated to create Made O’Meter last year in March, when Trump imposed tariffs on Canada and Mexico. I thought it was really unfair. And I also think that was where the boycott movement actually started, especially in Denmark, but also spread out in Europe,” explained Rosenfeldt.
“I don’t think that Trump is aware of it, and I don’t think he cares. What he cares about is when he can really see it in effect on his economy,” he added.
According to Rosenfeldt, the Made O’Meter app registered 100,000 new sign-ups within a week and 70,000 product photos within three days after Trump’s threat.
“The provocation by the US in regard to purchasing Greenland, I think it’s very emotional and personal all of a sudden. And people really wanted to do something and make a change,” he stated.
However, Rosenfeldt believes that consumer boycotts alone are not enough to drive change and shift economic realities, arguing that pressure must also be applied to politicians and major buyers.
“What I found out was that it’s actually pretty hard, practically, to do a boycott, especially if you’re blindfolded, and you don’t know where the products are actually produced or who owns the brands,” he continued.
“The solution is to send a signal to the politicians and to the purchasers, like the supermarkets, so they change their habits. […] If we get everyone on board, it will have a change,” said Rosenfeldt.
The Made O’Meter app allows shoppers to scan products and, using AI, helps identify whether a product is linked to a US company. If a product is American, the app provides details about the company and where the item was manufactured, while also suggesting alternative products.
Europe and the US have been embroiled in a huge row over Greenland and the future of the NATO alliance – with Donald Trump insisting he needed the territory for national security and questioning the value of continued involvement in NATO for the US. He lifted the threat of more tariffs on eight European nations, insisting he had the ‘framework’ of a deal for Greenland following talks with NATO chief Mark Rutte—although the exact details were not revealed.
Article by Viory
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