A notable decrease in the number of Canadian visitors crossing the border into Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., has been observed in the year following Donald Trump’s second inauguration as U.S. President. Tom Stephenson, a resident of Heyden near Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., who frequently crosses the border, has noticed a 23.8% decline in Canadian visitors at the international bridge.
Stephenson remarked on the quieter atmosphere, noting fewer Ontario license plates in parking lots compared to previous times. Damon Lieurance, a business owner in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., also acknowledged the change in the ratio of Canadian to Michigan license plates in parking lots, although major retailers remain busy. He mentioned a noticeable increase in Canadian travelers returning at the airport.
A Trump supporter and Republican commissioner in Chippewa County, Lieurance expressed that the strained relations between the U.S. and Canada, aggravated by Trump’s tariffs and annexation remarks, may have contributed to the decline in Canadian visitors. However, he emphasized the importance of maintaining strong ties between the two countries.
Jeff LaHuis, a veterinarian in Sault Ste. Marie, reassured that the temporary decrease in Canadian clients following the COVID-19 closure of the border has rebounded and does not signify a lasting division between the Twin Saults. Other local businesses, such as the Soo Brewing Company, also noted a decline in Canadian customers over the years, attributing it to various factors beyond Trump’s policies.
Despite concerns about the impact of Trump’s tariffs on border relations and local businesses, some remain skeptical about any potential changes in the current administration’s stance. The general sentiment among business owners in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., is that restoring cross-border relations and visitor numbers may require more than just policy shifts.
Overall, while acknowledging the challenges faced by border towns like Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., optimism persists regarding the enduring alliance between the United States and Canada.