Canadian Travelers Abandon US Amid Boycott Over Trump Era Policies

Many Canadian travelers have chosen to boycott the United States since Donald Trump's re-election in 2024, citing US tariffs and the president's comments about annexing Canada. Kent Truscott, a London, Ontario resident, had previously taken multiple trips south of the border but decided to cancel his family's trip to Texas to watch the SpaceX Starship launch.

Instead, they spent their money in Canada, visiting the Atlantic provinces of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Their decision is part of a broader trend: Canadians made 800,000 fewer trips to the US in April 2025 compared to the same month before Trump's election.

This boycott has resulted in a loss of about C$3.3 billion ($2.35 billion; £1.75 billion) in travel revenue for the US last year. American cities and states have attempted to lure Canadians back with targeted advertisements and special deals, such as New York City's tourism board offering 30% discounts on Broadway tickets and hotel rooms.

While some Canadians are driven by Trump's treatment of Canada, others note that the declining Canadian dollar has made the US less affordable. However, many feel their country's relationship with the US has reached a breaking point, and it would take significant actions to restore amicable relations for them to return to traveling south.