Border crossings from Canada into upstate New York dropped by nearly 300,000 vehicles in April, a 22% decline compared to last year, according to U.S. Customs data shared by Sen. Chuck Schumer. He blamed the slump on Trump’s tariffs and strained U.S.-Canada relations.
The Ogdensburg crossing saw the steepest fall, down 28%. Schumer warned that the tourism drop could devastate local economies from Buffalo to Syracuse, where Canadian visitors account for a large share of spending. Some border businesses already report shrinking bookings.
Canadian tourism supported over 140,000 U.S. jobs last year. But ongoing tensions—including Trump’s suggestion Canada become the 51st state—are believed to have influenced Canada’s recent federal election and may continue fueling cross-border unease.
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