Vehicles in line to cross into the U.S. from Canada at the border in Quebec. (Nasuna Stuart-Ulin/Bloomberg)
January 12, 2026 1:33 PM, EST
Key Takeaways:
- Canadians made 22.9 million U.S. trips in 2025, down 28% from 31.9 million a year earlier, Statistics Canada said Jan. 12.
- The drop followed President Donald Trump’s trade war, 51st state rhetoric and border crackdowns, with 70% of Canadians uneasy traveling to the U.S., polls showed.
- Industry groups expect slower U.S. travel growth in 2025, including a 3.2% inbound spending decline and international visits at 85% of pre-pandemic levels.
[Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.]
Canadians took 28% fewer trips to the U.S. last year as President Donald Trump’s trade war and repeated calls for Canada to become the 51st state angered many in the northern nation.
The country’s residents made 22.9 million visits to the U.S. by car or plane in 2025, compared with 31.9 million the previous year, according to preliminary Statistics Canada data released Jan. 12. Americans also traveled to Canada less — those trips fell 5% to 17.8 million.
Canadian travel to the U.S. began to nosedive promptly after Trump took office nearly one year ago. January 2025 marked the first of what is now 12 consecutive year-over-year declines in visits. Seven in 10 Canadians would be uncomfortable traveling to the U.S. this winter, according to an October poll by the Angus Reid Institute.
Trump’s border crackdown has also caused a chill. Stories of Canadians being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement have spread through the media, and some professional organizations have warned members against non-essential travel to the U.S.
The U.S. Travel Association expected travel growth to slow in 2025, with strong domestic leisure trips offsetting an anticipated 3.2% decline in inbound spending driven by “significantly fewer” Canadian arrivals. Total international visits were likely at 85% of pre-pandemic levels, according to a report by the group in October.
Want more news? Listen to today’s daily briefing below or go here for more info:
