The economy in U.S. border cities in the Washington state area is mainly dependent on Canadian tourist arrivals and is now on the decline as Canadian citizens have boycotted such travel due to the imposition of duties by American leader Donald Trump. This was reported by NBC News on April 13 with reference to residents of the state.
One of them was the city of Blaine, in which Canadians came to buy cheaper gasoline and various products. After the introduction of tariffs, such trips have become unprofitable, and therefore Canadians choose to stay at home.
According to Mike Hill, the manager of the Chevron gas station in Blaine, sales have dropped by 40-50% in the past few months. He added that people have stopped coming to town and there is “just nobody around.”
Tom Mills, a retired former college teacher in Vancouver, noted that he visited the U.S. six times a year ago, but after Trump imposed duties, he gave up trips to avoid filling up on foreign gasoline and eating at American restaurants.
“I am angry at the Trump administration for their arrogant and oppressive treatment of us. …It saddens me that many workers and businesses may be affected by our actions, but we will do everything we can to avoid U.S. support,” Mills said.
The TV station cited data from the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University, which indicates that in the first three weeks of March, the flow of vehicles from Canada entering the U.S. through three Whatcom County checkpoints dropped by 65,000. That’s 42% less than in 2024.
On April 7, it was reported that Canada filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization over U.S. duties on cars and parts. Ottawa argues that the measures are inconsistent with Washington’s obligations under various provisions of the 1994 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. On the same day, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the likelihood of a U.S. recession has increased significantly because of the tariffs.