One in four Belgians is buying fewer American products, survey finds
Since the recent tensions with the United States, one in four Belgians is buying fewer American products or brands, according to a survey commissioned by AG Insurance. Nearly half believe Belgian and European companies should scale back their investments across the Atlantic.
The poll, conducted among 1,000 Belgians between 30 January and 6 February, asked respondents how their purchasing of well-known American products such as Coca-Cola, Oreo and Nike had changed. More than a quarter, 25.3 per cent, said they now bought fewer of these products, while 3.8 per cent reported buying more.
The survey highlights a regional divide: 21.1 per cent of people in the north of the country said they bought fewer American brands or products, compared with 30.6 per cent in the south.
Among respondents who hold shares in American companies, 23.6 per cent said they were now investing less in them. In addition, 22.2 per cent reported reducing their investments in US investment funds or ETFs, while 27.7 per cent said they were investing less in the dollar.
Widespread concern
Almost half of respondents, 44.5 per cent, believe Belgian and European companies should reduce their investments in the US. By contrast, 3.7 per cent think investments should increase.
Concern about international developments is widespread. Almost nine in 10 respondents, 88.7 per cent, said they were worried about recent global events. This share is higher in French-speaking Belgium at 92.4 per cent, compared with 85.9 per cent among Dutch speakers. Only 2.3 per cent said they were not concerned at all.
That unease appears to be influencing spending habits. Some 39 per cent of respondents said they were cutting back on non-essential purchases such as clothing, electronics or dining out. More than a third, 35.1 per cent, said they were spending less on holidays.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND
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