On Monday, U.S. border states reported a sharp decline in Canadian tourism attributed to tariffs implemented under former President Donald Trump's administration. This downturn has been observed across multiple states bordering Canada, impacting local businesses reliant on Canadian visitors, according to a report by WebProNews published Monday.
The decline in Canadian tourists is linked to escalating political tensions between the United States and Canada, including trade disputes and tariff policies introduced by the Trump administration. These tariffs have increased costs and created uncertainty for travelers, discouraging visits to U.S. border regions.
Economic data indicate that Canadian visitation to the U.S. has dropped by approximately 25 percent year-to-date, with border cities such as Buffalo, New York, and Seattle experiencing significant reductions in Canadian visitors. Patrick Kaler, CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara, noted that despite efforts to attract Canadian tourists with incentives and welcoming campaigns, the usual influx did not materialize this summer.
The tariffs and related political rhetoric have also contributed to a broader atmosphere of border anxiety. Measures such as increased detainment and new registration requirements for Canadians staying in the U.S. for extended periods have further deterred travel. These factors combined have led many Canadians to reconsider or cancel trips south of the border.
Conversely, domestic tourism within Canada has seen growth, with Canadians opting to explore local destinations. This shift benefits Canadian tourism businesses but poses challenges for U.S. border economies that traditionally depend on Canadian spending.
The U.S. Travel Association has warned that even a 10 percent decline in Canadian travel could result in two million fewer visits and a loss of $2.1 billion in spending. The current 25 percent decline thus represents a substantial economic impact on the U.S. tourism sector, particularly in border states.
This development comes amid ongoing trade disputes and political tensions that have strained U.S.-Canada relations. The situation underscores the interconnectedness of political decisions and cross-border economic activities, especially in tourism-dependent regions.
Source: WebProNews, published Monday, September 15, 2025, 7:00 PM ET (https://www.webpronews.com/trump-tariffs-drive-sharp-decline-in-canadian-tourism-to-us-border-states/)
