Canadians are showing their anger by refusing to buy American products and skipping vacations to the United States. The move comes after recent threats from President Trump about annexing Canada, sparking outrage among its citizens. In response, many citizens have adopted a “Buy Canada” approach, choosing domestic goods over American ones and canceling trips south of the border.
Canadian Boycott Hits US Hard
For years, Canada has been the biggest source of international travelers to the US. Even a small dip in Canadian spending has major effects on the American economy. According to the US Travel Association, a 10% reduction in Canadian travel could cost the US $2 billion and eliminate 14,000 jobs. This is already happening, as Canadian air travel to the US dropped by 13% in February, according to Statistics Canada.
Travel by car has also seen a sharp decline, with 23% fewer Canadians crossing into the US compared to last year. Tourist hubs that rely heavily on Canadian visitors, such as Buffalo, New York, and Old Orchard Beach in Maine, are taking the hardest hit. In Buffalo alone, Canadian tourists make up 35-45% of visitors, but traffic at the four main border bridges has fallen by 14% in the past month.
Airlines and Hotels Facing Losses
The travel industry is feeling the impact of the boycott. Airlines have started cutting flights to the US as demand drops. Aviation-analytics Company Cirium reports that airlines have reduced their available seats on US-bound flights by an average of 6.1% for April, May, and June.
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Major airlines like Flair Airlines and WestJet are cancelling or reducing flights to popular American destinations. Flair Airlines has already cut its Vancouver and Calgary routes to Phoenix, while WestJet reports that citizens of Canada are replacing US trips with vacations in Mexico and the Caribbean. Even seasonal flights from Toronto to Nashville will not return due to weak demand.
Hotel and entertainment businesses in the US are also suffering. Las Vegas saw a 9.4% drop in Canadian visitors last month, while New York reported an 11% decline. Cities that rely on Canadian tourists are scrambling to adjust. Patrick Kaler, CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara, said Canadian visitors to the city’s tourism website have decreased by 52% since the boycott started. To recover, the city is considering relaunching its “Buffalo Loves Canada” campaign when tensions ease.
Economic Patriotism in Canada
Beyond travel, citizens of Canada are taking a stand through their shopping habits. The “Buy Canada” campaign encourages citizens to purchase local products instead of American-made goods. Grocery stores, liquor stores, and retailers have reported an increase in demand for Canadian alternatives to US products, including cars, bourbon, and meat.
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The backlash follows controversial comments from the White House. A spokesperson recently stated, “Canadians will no longer face international travel inconveniences once they become American citizens in our cherished 51st state.” This comment only deepened Canadian resentment, intensifying their economic pushback.
Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has firmly rejected any possibility of annexation. He responded to Trump’s threats with a clear message: “Canada will never, ever, be a part of America in any way, shape, or form.” During his acceptance speech as Liberal Leader, he compared the trade dispute to Canada’s national sport, saying, “We didn’t ask for this fight. However, when someone else takes the gloves off, citizens of Canada are always prepared. Like hockey, trade will be won by Canada.
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As the boycott continues, its financial impact is becoming increasingly clear. Fewer Canadian dollars are flowing into the US, and the American tourism and retail industries are feeling the strain. Businesses on both sides of the border are closely watching the situation, hoping for a resolution to restore cross-border travel and trade.