How might Trump tariffs impact Washington state border towns?
Some say the bigger issue for towns that rely on Canadian business is the weak Loonie
With Canada the focus of his rhetoric and tariff threats, Washington state border communities are watching with a range of concerns as president-elect Donald Trump takes office next week.
In the lead-up to his inauguration, Trump has threatened tariffs against Canada and told a news conference he's looking to use "economic force" to "get rid" of the border between the two countries.
In Blaine, Wash., just south of White Rock, Mayor Mary Lou Steward says her community benefits from Canadian visitors and the dollars they bring with them.
She says Trump's bellicosity toward Canada has some in the community concerned.
"[Canadians] come down, and they eat at our restaurants, they pick up their packages, they shop at all of our stores. And it really makes a difference in our economy," she said.
But while she calls the president-elect "impulsive," she points out that other politicians on both sides of the border are working to keep the relationship running smoothly.
"I suspect it's going to be a lot of chaos, and so instead of just jumping all over the place, we're still going to focus on what we can do."
U.S. International Trade Administration figures from 2022 highlight the value of Canadian land-border-crossers to the U.S.
A total of 7.1 million Canadians travelled stateside by land alone, spending an average of $1,083 per visit. With 785,000 of them coming to Washington that year, the Evergreen State was the third-most visited state.
While tariff threats and counter-threats may illustrate a strained relationship, some in Washington border communities say other factors could impact cross-border business.
'We need Canadians' economy to be successful'
East of Blaine, just across the line from Abbotsford, B.C., Lynden also sees a benefit from cross-border Canucks.
Gary Vis, a town councillor and executive director of the chamber of commerce, says Canadians aren't essential for most businesses bottom lines.
"The icing on our cake," is how Vis put it. "We've got to make sure that we're serving the locals. But then, when our friends from B.C. come down, they can really help you make the end of the year look a little bit better."
Vis says it's not partisan politics driving Canadian shopper behaviour: it's the dollar. When Canada is stronger, they come south more.
Ali Hayton, who owns the Point Roberts International Marketplace in the U.S. exclave just south of Tsawwassen, agrees it's the dollar that impacts whether Canadians are willing to patronize her store to save a few bucks on beer, wine, milk, cheese and other goods.
"I think I'm probably one of the only Americans that roots for … a weak American dollar and high gas prices," she said. "But those are the two things that really help business down in Point Roberts."
Hayton said Trump's rhetoric toward Canada "doesn't help business at all," but the political change she's watching is in Canada, not her home country.
She argues Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has done a poor job with the Canadian economy, and there needs to be a change.
"We need Canadians' economy to be successful."
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With files from Amelia John