Canada has seen a significant drop in road trips to the US, with outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging Canadians to reconsider visiting the country due to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. The number of Canadian drivers heading south fell 23% in February compared to the same period last year, according to Statistics Canada data.
Leisure bookings are also taking a hit, with Flight Centre Travel Group seeing a 40% decrease in US travel bookings. Trudeau’s comments were sparked by Trump’s executive orders on February 1, which levy 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico.
The downturn has economic implications for the US, with estimates suggesting a 10% decline in Canadian travel could result in $2.1 billion in lost spending and 14,000 job losses. The US tourism industry is projected to generate $223.64 billion in 2025, but losses could exceed current estimates if tensions persist.
Businesses on the border, such as restaurants and hotels, are already feeling the impact of reduced Canadian visitor numbers. Market jitters have also contributed to economic uncertainty, with stock markets plummeting this week due to Trump’s comments on recession and tariffs.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/canadians-traveling-to-us-fall-boycott-calls-tariffs-trump-trudeau-2025-3