February Sees 500,000 Fewer Travelers in U.S. Cross-Border Trips Post-COVID

In February, nearly 500,000 fewer travelers crossed from Canada to the U.S. compared to last year, marking the lowest levels since the pandemic. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported a drop from 2,696,512 to 2,223,408 travelers in passenger vehicles. Analysts point to President Trump’s aggressive trade rhetoric and tariffs as key deterrents, prompting a significant decline in Canadian day trips—essentially a travel boycott fueled by political tensions. Immigration lawyer Len Saunders notes that this decline echoes pandemic patterns, with local businesses feeling the pinch. Duty-free shops report sales dipping by 80% since pre-2020. As exchange rates remain stagnant, experts suggest nationalism, not just economics, is shaping Canadian decisions to stay home.