Canada-to-New York cross-border shopping excursions are declining as relations between the two countries grow tenser. Back-and-forth insults by former U.S. President Donald Trump, combined with a growing trade war, are keeping many Canadians away from American shopping malls and stores.
Border city retailers such as Buffalo and Niagara Falls have seen a significant decline in Canadian consumers, a group that has long driven local economies. The declining Canadian dollar, in addition to higher tariffs and tense diplomatic relations, has also stifled the desire for cross-border shopping excursions.
Trump’s previous comments, frequently negative about Canada’s leadership and trade practices, left a bad taste in the mouths of many Canadians, prompting some to boycott American products and services. It is an emerging concern for companies that draw upon Canadian travelers to fuel sales.
As trade tensions continue to escalate, the economic ripple effects are becoming more pronounced. Experts caution that unless things improve, the trend of fewer Canadian shoppers in U.S. border towns could continue, impacting local businesses and employment.
