In the aftermath of U.S. President Donald Trump’s initiation of a trade war through imposing harsh tariffs, Prime Minister Mark Carney predicted the imminent end of Canada’s longstanding ties with the U.S. Recent data analyzed by CBC News across various sectors such as travel, trade, shopping, and culture confirms a noticeable shift in Canadian behavior away from the U.S.
The repercussions of Trump’s trade actions are still reverberating, leading to a significant decrease in Canadian visits to the U.S. and subsequent cancellation of cross-border flights by airlines. Concurrently, Canadian exports to the U.S. have dwindled while trade with non-U.S. countries has seen a surge, prompting the government to expedite new trade agreements and support businesses in leveraging existing ones.
The grassroots “Buy Canadian” movement has substantially altered the retail landscape, with a notable increase in the consumption of domestic products and a decline in U.S. goods. Similarly, there has been a shift in Canadian cultural preferences, with a rise in viewership and sales of homegrown content, particularly Canadian-authored books.
Support for Canadian institutions is on the rise, with a growing inclination towards monarchy and traditional values. U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, acknowledged the diminishing passion for the U.S.-Canada relationship among Canadians compared to Americans.
The most apparent impact of the strained Canada-U.S. relationship can be observed in the travel sector. Statistics reveal a sharp decline in Canadian visits to the U.S. by both air and car, with a consistent downward trend in the past months. Major airlines like Air Canada have suspended several Canada-U.S. routes and shifted focus to international destinations due to the dwindling demand for U.S. travel.
On the trade front, Trump’s tariffs have reshaped Canada’s export patterns, leading to a decline in exports to the U.S. and a reorientation towards other markets such as the United Kingdom, Europe, and Central/South America. The Buy Canadian campaign has influenced shopping trends, with increased sales of Canadian products and a notable decrease in U.S. alcohol and food purchases.
In the cultural domain, there is a noticeable shift towards consuming more Canadian content, evident in the increased viewership of local television programs and interest in Canadian history. The prevailing sentiment among Canadians towards the U.S. is reflective of the ongoing trade tensions and the need for a tangible resolution to restore normalcy in the relationship.
