U.S President Donald Trump’s looming tariffs on Canadian goods are already making waves among Canadians travelling to the United States.
Late Monday afternoon, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the tariffs on Canada would not be implemented for 30 days, just days after Trump said they would begin on Tuesday.
Prior to the announcement, Julie Olmstead, who is flying to Florida, said this trip might be one of her last.
“I don’t plan on going many more times, and my girlfriend’s not well,” said Olmstead. “I want to make this trip so that I make sure that I have been there at least once.”
Many travellers are now hesitant to cross the border. Brenda Putnam, who is in a same-sex relationship, says she no longer feels safe travelling to the U.S.
“I have a great deal of concern for what could or might happen to me,” said Putnam. “I’m not prepared to go and pretend I’m not and pretend I’m somebody else. I’m done with that. That’s why I like living in Canada, because I don’t have to do that.”
The economic impact of the tariffs is also a concern, as the Canadian dollar has dropped to its lowest level in two decades.
“It’s not about the tariffs for the moment as it is the effect on the Canadian dollar that, I think, is going to be the real problem,” said Martin Firestone, president of Travel Secure Inc. “As of this morning, it hit a low that it hasn’t seen since 2003. So, someone who’s travelling is now going to think about what the cost will be with a Canadian dollar that is so low.”
Margot Bak, who is travelling to Tampa, also has concerns about the Canadian dollar.
“Our dollar is not doing very well at all,” said Bak. “So no, I wouldn’t probably choose the States. Just financially, it’s not that great.”
Some Americans are also critical of the new tariffs.
“I think it’s horrible,” said American citizen Mary O’Neill. “I think it’s going to hurt everybody. It’s going to change the prices of everything. It’s going to go up. And I just think it’s very unfair.”
However, George Morgan, another American, sees it differently.
“Depends on how they are applied and whether they’re applied fairly and evenly,” said Morgan. “Trump has always said he advocates for reciprocal trade. I think they’re more or less a tool for him, not anything more other than that.”
For some Canadians, family remains the only reason to visit the U.S.
“I have a relative that lives down there, so that’s why I go,” said Trish Maracle. “But that would be only for visiting the relative. Not for any other reason.”
Others say the climate in the U.S. has simply become too uncomfortable.
“I feel unwelcome,” said Sarah Knight. “I feel like I would feel maybe, a little bit frightened.”
