StatsCan data shows 1.35 million fewer US car returns as boycott grows under Trump trade strain
Canadians returned from 1.35 million fewer road trips to the United States over the past two months than during the same period last year, according to Financial Post.
Statistics Canada reported Monday that Canadian-resident automobile return trips from the US declined 35 percent in April year over year—a decrease of 670,000.
That followed a March drop of 680,000 trips, down 32 percent compared to 2024.
April marked the fourth straight month of year-over-year declines.
Return travel by air from the US also dropped 19.9 percent in April.
In contrast, Canadians increased their air travel from other international destinations by 9.9 percent.
The steep drop in US travel reflects what Financial Post described as a broader movement among Canadians boycotting American vacations and products.
The shift comes in response to US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, as well as his comments describing the Canada-US border as “artificial” and calling for its removal.
His administration’s immigration enforcement has also raised fears that visitors could become entangled in enforcement actions.
The impact of reduced Canadian travel is extending to US firms.
Expedia Group Inc., based in Seattle, reported a nearly 30 percent decline in Canadian bookings in the first quarter.
Dozens of Seattle businesses responded by accepting the Canadian dollar at par with the US dollar over the weekend—offering a 30 percent discount to draw in Canadian customers.
US travel services exports, which include spending by international tourists on accommodation and meals, declined more than 7 percent in March, according to National Bank of Canada.
The bank noted it was the largest drop outside the pandemic in nearly 25 years and warned of broader effects on production, employment, and corporate earnings in sectors dependent on foreign visitors.
Travel reductions have occurred in both directions.
The number of trips by US residents to Canada by car fell 10.7 percent in April, while US air arrivals into Canada dropped 5.5 percent, as reported by Financial Post.
