Canadian-U.S. Return Trips Plummet Amid Rising Tensions
Recent data from Statistics Canada reveals that Canadian travel to the United States has significantly declined amid rising tensions. In November 2025, Canadian resident return trips to the U.S. dropped by 23.6% compared to the same month in 2024. This continuing decrease in cross-border travel follows a trend observed over previous months, reflective of ongoing trade disputes.
Statistics on Canadian-U.S. Travel
Approximately 2.2 million return trips were recorded in November. Of these, the majority, 1.5 million, were made by automobile, with 68.5% being same-day trips. The remainder, 721,600 trips, were completed by air travel. For context, October saw a 26.3% decline, and September experienced an even steeper drop of 30.9% in Canadian resident return trips to the U.S.
Increasing Overseas Travel
Despite the downturn in travel to the U.S., Canadians are opting to travel abroad more frequently. November 2025 saw an increase of 14.1% in overseas return trips, totaling approximately 1.1 million. This trend marks an improvement from 9.1% growth in October and 5.1% in September.
Impact of the Trade War
The decline in travel to the U.S. has been attributed to the trade war initiated by former President Donald Trump in spring 2025, when tariffs were imposed on numerous countries, including Canada. Following these developments, Canadian sentiments towards the U.S. have soured. An Ipsos poll conducted in September 2025 found that 60% of Canadians expressed a lasting distrust towards Americans. Furthermore, a significant 71% believe that tensions between the two nations will persist for years.
Public Sentiment
In light of these tensions, Canadians are increasingly supporting local products. According to another Ipsos poll, 56% of respondents reported purchasing Canadian goods or investments, while 58% indicated they were avoiding American products.
Political Commentary
During a recent speech at the World Economic Forum, Trump suggested that Canada should express gratitude towards the U.S., immediately followed by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s assertion in Quebec City that Canada thrives independently. This exchange exemplifies the strained relations between the two countries, reflecting broader societal sentiments.
The evident drop in Canadian-U.S. return trips and the rise in international travel mark a significant shift in travel patterns. As tensions remain high, the future of cross-border travel hangs in the balance.
