Global leaders call for international boycott of United States

February 5, 2026 • Al Jazeera

Global leaders call for international boycott of United States

Here is a rewritten version of the article in a neutral newsroom style:

US Violations of International Norms Continue Under Trump Administration

The United States has consistently violated international norms and laws under President Donald Trump’s leadership. Recent incidents include the deployment of US military forces to Nigeria, where they claimed to be defending Christians, as well as the invasion of Venezuela and arrest of its president, Nicolás Maduro. Additionally, the US has openly threatened Iran, Greenland, and Mexico with military intervention.

Domestically, the Trump administration’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has continued to carry out extralegal actions in pursuit of mass deportations. Since 2026, federal immigration officers have shot and killed at least three US citizens: Keith Porter Jr., Renée Nicole Good, and Alex Pretti. These incidents have sparked public outrage over the use of lethal force by federal agencies.

In light of these developments, some experts are calling for a global boycott and divestment campaign against the United States. This approach has been successful in other contexts, such as the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. The BDS movement has applied economic pressure on Israel to address human rights concerns.

The idea of applying similar pressure to the US is being explored by some as a means of disrupting its aggression abroad and promoting accountability at home. This approach would involve boycotting US corporations, products, and events, as well as divesting from companies that operate in the US. While this strategy may not be without controversy, it has been used effectively in other contexts to bring about change.

The use of economic pressure as a tool for social change is not new. In the 1950s, civil rights activists in the United States employed similar tactics to challenge segregation and racism. The Montgomery Bus Boycott, which lasted for 381 days, was a key example of this approach. By applying economic pressure, activists were able to bring about significant changes in their community.

In recent years, some have argued that a global boycott and divestment campaign against the US could be an effective way to address its human rights abuses and promote accountability. This idea is being explored by some as a means of disrupting US aggression abroad and promoting change at home.

Source: Al Jazeera