Global Accountability: Why It’s Time for the World to Boycott the US

Unchecked Power: The US and a World Awaiting Accountability

In recent years, the United States, under its current administration, has drawn increasing scrutiny for actions that appear to flout international norms and domestic human rights. From aggressive foreign policy maneuvers to concerning domestic repression, a pattern of behavior has emerged that, for many other nations, would trigger immediate international sanctions. Yet, the US seems to operate outside this framework, prompting a critical question: how can the world hold a powerful nation accountable without resorting to violence? A growing chorus suggests thatit’s time for the world to boycott the US, leveraging economic pressure as a potent, nonviolent tool for change.

Escalating Aggression Abroad and Repression at Home

The past year has seen a notable uptick in US unilateral actions. Internationally, the nation has navigated a turbulent landscape of tariff disputes, engaged in what critics call sham negotiations regarding conflicts like that between Russia and Ukraine, and declared a dubious “ceasefire” with Israel while leaders openly speculated about transforming Gaza into “oceanfront property.” More recently, the US reportedly bombed Nigeria “to defend Christians,” mounted an invasion in Venezuela leading to the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro after months of naval provocations, and issued explicit military threats against Iran, Greenland, and Mexico.

Domestically, the situation is equally fraught. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has continued controversial operations aimed at mass deportations, often resulting in severe consequences. Since early 2026, federal immigration agents have been involved in the fatal shootings of at least three US citizens: Keith Porter Jr., 43, in California, and Renée Nicole Good, 37, and Alex Pretti, 37, in Minnesota. The killings of Good and Pretti, captured on multiple cameras, have intensified public outrage over the expanded use of lethal force by federal agencies.

The Double Standard: Why Sanctions for Some, Not All?

The global community often moves swiftly to condemn and sanction countries like Iran for human rights abuses, such as the repression and killing of thousands of protesters. However, when similar accusations are leveled against the United States, the response from the Western-led international community is conspicuously absent. This glaring double standard highlights the urgent need for a new approach to accountability. Drawing inspiration from historical movements for justice, particularly the strategies employed by the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement, the world might find its answer in collective economic action.

A Path to Accountability: Lessons from History

Short of direct military conflict or civil unrest, widespread economic pressure remains one of the most effective nonviolent ways to disrupt aggression and demand accountability. Dr. King and countless Black Americans in the 1950s understood the profound impact of hitting the wallets of those who benefited from systemic injustice. This was a crucial strategy in their fight against violent racial segregation.

The Montgomery Bus Boycott: A Blueprint for Change

The 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott, beginning in December 1955, was a powerful response to decades of segregated public transport. For over a year, approximately 40,000 Black residents of Montgomery either carpooled or walked, demonstrating extraordinary resolve. As King famously stated, “We came to see that, in the long run, it is more honourable to walk in dignity than ride in humiliation.”

Despite facing mass arrests, threats, and even bombings—including King's home—the boycott ultimately prevailed. In December 1956, following a US Supreme Court affirmation ofBrowder v. Gayle, Montgomery officially ended bus segregation. King’s vision was clear: “Our aim has never been to put the bus company out of business, but rather to put justice in business.”

Echoes of BDS: A Global Framework for Justice

The principles of the Montgomery Bus Boycott find a contemporary echo in the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, launched in 2005. Inspired by the anti-apartheid boycotts against South Africa, BDS seeks to apply nonviolent economic and cultural pressure to achieve three key objectives:

Despite accusations of antisemitism, a common tactic against social justice movements, BDS has significantly raised global awareness of the daily realities of Palestinian life under occupation and apartheid, shaping international discourse.

It’s Time for the World to Boycott the US: Specific Actions

Applying these lessons to the US demands a collective global effort. The stakes are incredibly high, and while some have already called for boycotting the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup—set primarily in US stadiums—such actions, though significant, may not be enough to pressure an increasingly autocratic regime.

A more comprehensive strategy for whenit’s time for the world to boycott the USwould include:

These collective actions demonstrate a powerful global message: if the world expects the US to uphold justice for its own people and act responsibly on the global stage, it must collectively challenge US influence.

Reclaiming a Vision of Justice for 2026

Decades ago, critics often highlighted racial strife and repression within the US, often dismissed as Cold War propaganda. Yet, Dr. King himself, years after advocating for nonviolent protest, came to a profound realization. In 1967, he acknowledged, “The evils of capitalism are as real as the evils of militarism and racism. The problems of racial injustice and economic injustice cannot be solved without a radical redistribution of political and economic power.”

This enduring wisdom serves as a crucial reminder for 2026: true justice requires confronting the interconnected evils of capitalism, militarism, and racism. By collectively deciding thatit’s time for the world to boycott the US, the international community can foster the accountability necessary for the US to live up to its purported ideals, both at home and abroad.