Michigan's Economy Suffers as US-Canada Trade War Escalates

Located on the northeast edge of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Sault Ste. Marie is a twin city that shares its name and culture with Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

The annual International Bridge Walk across the span connecting the two cities was held in late June, but it was clouded by an increasingly hostile relationship between the US and Canada.

Traffic over the bridge has plummeted, with a 24% drop in crossings last year. The loss of Canadian travelers is largely responsible for this decline, with fewer Canadians crossing the border for once-ordinary activities such as shopping, eating, fueling vehicles, vacationing or visiting family and friends.

The Sault area lost at least $82.9 million last year in local spending due to decreased crossings, according to an estimate from the International Bridge Administration.