Canadian crossings to Washington state plunge amid tensions
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Like a lot of Canadians, Jorge Aranda stopped coming to the United States this year. "I don't want to pretend that everything's OK," he tells Axios.
Why it matters: Many international travelers say they're put off by tariffs, the Trump administration's anti-foreigner rhetoric and aggressive immigration enforcement, leading to a tourism slump that's dragging on local economies, Axios' Emily Peck reports.
Zoom in: The change has been evident along Washington state's border with Canada.
- In August, personal vehicle crossings from the Vancouver, B.C., area into northwest Washington state were down 39% year over year, according to the Whatcom Council of Governments.
- That followed a 28% year-over-year decline in July, per the group's analysis of Washington state and B.C. transportation agency data.
State of play: Many Canadians, like Aranda, are offended by the president's talk of making their country the 51st state. "I thought we were friends, and you're talking about annexing us?" the 48-year-old said.
- Some potential travelers are also concerned about reports of tourists being detained by ICE.
What they're saying: "We understand the reports of Canadian travelers adjusting their plans due to the current political situation," Michelle McKenzie, marketing director for State of Washington Tourism, said in a written statement shared with Axios.
- "We want to emphasize that Washington remains a welcoming destination for all travelers from Canada and beyond."
The big picture: Canadians are also steering clear of other U.S. states. All told, visits from our northern neighbors to the U.S. are down 25% year to date, according to travel research firm Tourism Economics.
- Overall, the U.S. could see 8.2% fewer international arrivals in 2025, with overseas visits forecasted to be well below 2019 levels, the firm said.
- That's reflected in declining international air travel to the U.S., which is down 7% from 2024, according to an Axios analysis of U.S. Customs and Border Protection data.
The other side: Foreign visitors spent nearly $127 billion on U.S. travel and tourism-related goods in the first six months of 2025 — a "record high thanks to President Trump's efforts to Make America Beautiful & Safe Again for Americans and foreign visitors alike," a White House spokesperson told Axios.
What we're watching: Some businesses in the Seattle area are offering discounts to Canadian visitors to try to show solidarity and maintain tourism across the border.