The Canadian backlash against President Trump’s threatened tariffs has begun, according to social media commentary and reports in outlets such as Forbes and Newsweek.
With US tariffs of up to 25% on some Canadian goods and services looming, the phrase “F*** America” appears to be trending on sites such as Reddit and Canadian users have begun announcing the cancellation of planned trips to their southern neighbour. Feelings have been running so high that moderators on a BuyCanadian subreddit thread were forced to ask contributors to “keep that discussion civil” amid what was described as “a huge influx of posts due to the tariffs.”
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Even “bucket-list” trips are being cancelled
The anecdotal evidence appearing online has been backed up by Flight Centre, Canada’s largest travel agency, which told Forbes it had seen “a surge of customers” changing their minds about US vacations and rebooking alternative holidays, “including bucket-list and milestone experiences valued at over $10,000 CAD (€9,600).”
The tariffs, which are set to be imposed by 8 February 2025, have caused widespread concern, with even Trump himself acknowledging in a Truth Social post that they may cause pain to US consumers and businesses. The US tourist sector is likely to be one of those casualties, the US Travel Association (USTA) has warned.
Canada is US tourism’s biggest source market
The problem? Canada is the US’s biggest source market for foreign inbound tourists. It sent 20.4 million visitors to the States in 2024 when they spent a colossal $20.5 billion (€19.77 billion), according to the US National Travel and Tourism Office.
This checks out. ✅
— Embassy of Canada US (@CanEmbUSA) January 29, 2025
Canada is America’s top customer, buying more goods from the U.S. than China, Japan, France, and the UK… combined! pic.twitter.com/B9wYNXUDXw
But now the mood has turned sour, with online commenters declaring they have cancelled trips to various US destinations. Visit Florida numbers show that Canadians represented 38% of all state visitors in 2023, but, whether it is trips planned to Disney World or Maui, furious Canadians have vowed across social networks that they will “not step foot in the United States until this storm passes”.
Could Canada benefit?
The anger could mean an unexpected uplift for the internal Canadian travel market, as travel advice for top domestic destinations has mushroomed. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently told his citizens in a televised address : “Now is the time to choose Canada … It might mean changing your summer vacation plans to stay here in Canada and explore the many national and provincial parks, historical sites and tourist destinations our great country has to offer.”
We will always stand up for Canada. pic.twitter.com/Eg9vkh4bS0
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 2, 2025
It was a message echoed by David Eby, premier of British Columbia, who asked Canadians to reconsider whether they wish to spend their money in a country that “wants to do economic harm to Canadians.” If just one in 10 Canadians heeds that message, the US could lose out on $2.1 billion in lost tourist spending, the USTA has noted, which would put 140,000 hospitality jobs at risk.