Canadian Travel to the U.S. Drops Significantly: A Trade War's Impact
The ongoing trade war has had a profound effect on Canadian travel habits. In November 2025, Canadians made fewer trips to the United States, marking a notable decline compared to the previous year. This trend, as revealed by Statistics Canada's travel data report, highlights a growing tension between the two neighboring countries.
Here's the breakdown: Canadian residents' return trips to the U.S. witnessed a substantial 23.6% drop in November 2025 compared to November 2024. This equates to approximately 2.2 million return trips, with a majority (1.5 million) being automobile trips and a significant portion (68.5%) being same-day excursions. Interestingly, 721,600 return trips were made by air.
But here's where it gets intriguing: While the decline in travel is evident, the rate of decrease is slowing down. This could be attributed to the initial shock of Donald Trump's election and the subsequent shift in Canadian sentiment towards the U.S. But the question remains: Is this a temporary lull or a long-term trend?
The decline in November follows a similar pattern from previous months. In October, Canadian return trips to the U.S. decreased by 26.3%, and in September, they dropped by 30.9%. These numbers suggest a consistent trend of Canadians turning away from U.S. travel.
Despite this, Canadians are exploring other international destinations. In November 2025, Canadian residents returned from 1.1 million overseas trips, a 14.1% increase compared to November 2024. This upward trend was also observed in October (9.1%) and September (5.1%).
The trade war initiated by Donald Trump in 2025, which included tariffs on various countries, including Canada, has seemingly influenced Canadian perceptions. A Global News Ipsos poll from September 2025 revealed that 60% of Canadians stated they could never trust Americans the same way again, and 71% believed tensions would persist for years.
Trump's recent comments at the World Economic Forum further fueled the fire. He suggested that Canada should be grateful for the U.S., specifically mentioning Prime Minister Mark Carney. However, Carney, in a speech in Quebec City, asserted Canada's independence and success, stating, 'Canada thrives because we are Canadian.'
This sentiment is reflected in another Global News Ipsos poll, where 56% of respondents reported buying Canadian products or investments, consciously avoiding American alternatives (58%).
The trade war's impact on Canadian travel preferences is undeniable, but will this trend persist, or will relations eventually thaw?
