A massive travel boycott is unfolding as Canadians turn their backs on the United States, with future flight bookings plummeting by a staggering 70% through September, according to aviation analytics provider OAG. The numbers signal a growing resentment fueled by President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade war tactics, leaving airlines scrambling to fill seats.
The most dramatic decline is set for April, where bookings are down over 75%. May isn’t far behind, with a 72% drop, while the summer months—June through September—hover around a 71% decrease. Experts say the uncertainty surrounding trade disputes is the main culprit, casting a shadow over travel plans.
“For those still considering travel, airlines may slash prices to reignite demand, but the outlook remains grim,” OAG noted. The iconic “snowbird” travelers—Canadians who flock south for the winter—could be the next group to pull back, causing even more strain on U.S. tourism.
The travel crisis comes as Trump escalates tensions with Canada, hammering the country with tariffs and even reviving controversial rhetoric about annexation. In a fiery Truth Social post, Trump warned that if the European Union cooperated with Canada, the U.S. would slap both with even harsher tariffs.
“If the European Union works with Canada in order to do economic harm to the USA, large-scale tariffs, far larger than currently planned, will be placed on them both in order to protect the best friend that each of those two countries has ever had!” Trump declared.
The Wall Street Journal reported a 13% dip in flights to the U.S. in February compared to last year, highlighting the mounting boycott. The U.S. Travel Association warns that a 10% reduction in Canadian visitors could wipe out $2.1 billion in spending and cost 14,000 American jobs.
Fueling the outrage, the White House doubled down on Trump’s push to make Canada the 51st state, with spokeswoman Anna Kelly stating, “Canadians will no longer have to worry about the inconveniences of international travel when they become American citizens as residents of our cherished 51st state.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s trade policies continue to send shockwaves through North America. His tariffs—ranging from 10% on Canadian energy products to 25% on various goods—have already disrupted industries, with more pain expected when delayed tariffs fully take effect in April.
Canadian officials warn that U.S. consumers will soon feel the impact through higher prices and slower economic growth. But a Brookings Institution analysis suggests the greatest economic damage will hit Canada and Mexico, whose economies rely more heavily on American trade.
While Trump claims the tariffs are meant to curb illegal immigration and drug smuggling, his ongoing taunts toward Canada suggest a deeper motive—one that’s pushing more Canadians to keep their tourism dollars at home.
