Canadian Car Travel to U.S. Drops 34% in August, Eighth Straight Month of Decline

Published SEP 10

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Above: The Canada-U.S. border in St-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec, Canada on July 12, 2025. Image credit: Nasuna Stuart-Ulin/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Spin

Narrative A

Trump's aggressive rhetoric about making Canada the 51st state and his punitive tariffs have created a hostile environment that justifies avoiding U.S. travel. The administration's stricter border policies requiring Canadians to register with Homeland Security for stays over 30 days represent an unacceptable intrusion. When three-quarters of Canadians view Trump as dangerous, choosing domestic destinations becomes both a principled stand and smart economics.

The Conversation

Narrative B

While political tensions grab headlines, the reality shows 74% of Canadians proceeded with their U.S. travel plans undeterred by the rhetoric. The 26% who changed plans represent normal market fluctuations, not a systematic boycott. Economic factors like exchange rates and post-pandemic travel patterns better explain shifting tourism flows than political posturing. Canada benefits from keeping tourism dollars domestic regardless of politics.

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