The long-standing friendly relationship between the United States and Canada has cooled rapidly after President Donald Trump's hardline remarks. Immediately after Trump mentioned that he would "turn Canada into the 51st state of the United States," anti-American sentiment spread across Canada and a boycott of U.S. products has been widening. Corporations in both countries have been hit directly across trade, tourism, and consumer sectors, creating cracks in the North American economic cooperation structure that had been solid for decades.
CNN reported on the 13th (local time) that "emotional conflict is shaking the centuries-old relationship between the two countries." Gareth Moore, the chief executive officer (CEO) of a distillery in Virginia, said, "We planned to triple whiskey sales in the Canadian market, but that collapsed completely after President Trump's remarks," and added, "We did not get involved in politics, yet we became victims." In fact, some Canadian provincial governments have banned the in-store display of U.S. liquors, and not only the Virginia distillery but also Cedar Ridge Distillery in Iowa withdrew from the Canadian market due to import suspension measures. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, as of the second quarter, U.S. liquor exports to Canada plunged 85% from a year earlier.
The boycott has spread to the tourism industry. Bluff Point Golf Resort in Plattsburgh, New York, said the number of Canadian customers, who accounted for 70% of visitors, dropped sharply. Statistics Canada announced that by September, Canadian travel to the United States fell 31% by land and 13% by air. Mark Collins, CEO of Clipper Navigation, a ferry company operating between Seattle and Vancouver, said, "Canadians have begun to feel that crossing the border is risky," adding, "Passenger numbers are down 30% this year." He analyzed that Trump's "annexation" remark "provoked national pride and turned Canadians away."
Experts note that the Trump administration's tightened border enforcement spurred the boycott mentality. Geoff Freeman, president of the U.S. Travel Association, said, "Foreigners, including Canadians, worry they may be detained or have their electronic devices searched during U.S. entry," adding, "The problem is that travelers feel they are no longer welcome."
Amid rising tensions between the two countries, some are also raising the possibility of improving ties. Last week, President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met in the Oval Office and mentioned their intention to ease trade frictions. CNN reported that during the meeting Trump said, "The merger of the two countries is a joke, but Canada is a true partner."
However, local corporations remain cautious. Moore, the CEO of the Virginia distillery, said, "The uncertainty created by tariff or political remarks is too great," adding, "We halted investment because the rules could change." Jeff Quint, CEO of Iowa's Cedar Ridge Distillery, also said, "It is painful to pull out of a market we cultivated for two to three years," adding, "Instability in trade and diplomacy is paralyzing corporations."
In the end, Trump's off-the-cuff remarks and protectionist approach appear to be boomeranging on both countries. CNN assessed, "This episode shows that politics can drive consumption," adding, "As the wall of emotions grows higher, the border is becoming more distant."