Canadians Rethink Summer Vacations Amid Trump’s Threats of Annexation and Tariffs

As tensions rise between Canada and the United States, many Canadians are rethinking their summer travel plans south of the border. Frustration over President Donald Trump’s provocative rhetoric on annexation and his aggressive stance on tariffs is driving a significant shift in travel behavior, with many Canadians now opting to stay home.

For years, the US has been the go-to vacation spot for Canadian tourists. In fact, the US Travel Association reported that in 2019, over 20 million Canadians visited the US, contributing a hefty $20.5 billion to the American economy and supporting approximately 140,000 jobs. But this year, those numbers are set to plummet.

A recent survey by Abacus Data revealed that 56 percent of Canadians have either canceled or altered their travel plans to the United States. February bookings alone plummeted by 40 percent compared to last year, with a significant number of existing reservations being canceled.

Flight Centre Canada reports that 20 percent of these pre-existing bookings have been scrapped, as more Canadians grow wary of what they perceive as an increasingly hostile relationship with their southern neighbor.

With Trump continuing to threaten tariffs and discuss the possibility of turning Canada into the 51st state, many Canadians are opting for alternative vacation destinations closer to home or abroad, choosing to avoid a trip marred by political tension and uncertainty.