Over 80% of people have changed their opinion about travel to U.S.: poll

As the trade war continues with the U.S. many Canadians are foregoing travel to our neighbour to the south.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and references to Canada becoming the 51st state has angered many Canadians.

Trump’s back-and-forth on tariffs can be difficult to follow. On April 3, Trump slapped a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian-made vehicles and the threat of 25 per cent tariffs on all goods still looms.

The change in government also has some groups warning of possible difficulties when visiting the U.S.

The Canadian Association of University Teachers released updated travel advice due to the “political landscape” created by the Trump administration and reports of some Canadians encountering difficulties while crossing the border. The warning particularly applies to people “whose research could be seen as being at odds with the position of the current U.S. administration,” or who identify as transgender.

So far, these factors, along with the poor exchange rate, seem to be impacting travel.

The numbers are showing a decline in Canadians crossing the border. In March, the number of Canadians returning home by car from the U.S. fell nearly 32 per cent compared to March 2024, the third consecutive month of year-over-year declines and the steepest plunge since the pandemic, according to Statistics Canada.

Return trips by air from the U.S. fell 13.5 per cent year-over-year.

Most people have changed their opinion about taking a trip down south, according to an INsauga.com poll.

Asked “Has your opinion about travelling to the U.S. changed?” and 84.39 per cent or 3,742 people answered, “Yes, I’m less likely to go to the U.S.”

While 692 (15.61 per cent) said they will still go to the U.S.

Reports from U.S. media suggest Canadian travel is down.

Newsweek reported that the U.S. faces a $6 billion loss due to a decline in Canadian travel. CBS reported many Canadian cancellations to once-popular spots in Florida.

With files from the Canadian Press