‘We’re Not Coming Back!’ Tourists Worldwide Cancel U.S. Trips Amid Trump’s Tariff Chaos and Border Crackdowns

In early 2025, the United States, long a beacon for international tourists, faced a seismic shift as travelers from Canada, Europe, and beyond began canceling trips en masse, driven by President Donald Trump’s polarizing policies and fiery rhetoric. “We’re not coming back until things change significantly,” declared Jens Muellers, a German tourist who scrapped plans for his fifth U.S. visit, echoing a growing sentiment that threatens to cost the U.S. tourism industry up to $64 billion in 2025. From trade wars to border detentions and provocative statements about annexing Canada, Trump’s actions have sparked global backlash, turning the U.S. into a less appealing destination. As the nation grapples with this unprecedented tourism crisis, the fallout reveals deep tensions in global relations and the economic stakes of political decisions.

The Roots of the Tourism Collapse

The U.S. has historically been a top global destination, welcoming 66.5 million visitors in 2023 and generating $181 billion in international visitor spending in 2024. Cities like New York and San Francisco, alongside national parks like Yosemite, have drawn millions, bolstered by the U.S.’s role as a business hub. However, Trump’s reelection in November 2024 and his subsequent policies have dramatically altered this landscape. According to Tourism Economics, inbound travel is now projected to decline by 5.5% in 2025, a stark reversal from earlier forecasts of 9% growth, with losses potentially reaching $64 billion when combined with reduced domestic travel.

Trump’s policies lie at the heart of this downturn. His announcement of 25% tariffs on Canadian goods and 104% tariffs on Chinese imports, effective April 2025, sparked retaliatory measures and global market turmoil. His provocative rhetoric, including threats to make Canada the “51st state” and to “buy” Greenland, has inflamed allies, while stricter border policies—such as fingerprinting requirements for foreigners staying beyond 30 days—have raised fears of detention. High-profile incidents, like the 10-day detention of a British woman and the chaining of a Canadian tourist at the U.S.-Mexico border, have further deterred visitors, with countries like the UK and Germany issuing updated travel warnings.

Canadian Backlash: A Leading Force

Canada, the largest source of international tourists to the U.S. with 20.4 million visitors spending $20.5 billion in 2024, has led the boycott. Trump’s tariffs and annexation rhetoric, including calling Canada a “51st state,” provoked outrage, prompting former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to urge Canadians to vacation domestically. “Explore our national parks and historical sites,” Trudeau said in February 2025, a call that resonated widely.

The impact was immediate. Cross-border car trips from Canada fell 24% in February 2025, while air travel dropped 13%, with bookings for Canada-to-U.S. routes down over 70% compared to 2024. A March poll by Leger found that 36% of Canadians who planned U.S. trips had canceled them, with some, like Toronto resident Bertha Lopez, vowing, “Barring a funeral or someone in the hospital, I am not going to the United States.” Lopez, who canceled a trip to Arizona, also boycotted American brands like Tide and Disney, reflecting a broader sentiment of betrayal.

Travel agencies reported unprecedented cancellations, with Flight Center Travel Group Canada noting a 40% drop in U.S. bookings in February 2025. In Niagara Falls, New York, hotel demand fell 8%, and in Bellingham, Washington, it plummeted 12%. Lorna Hundt, CEO of Great Canadian Holidays, said most U.S. tours were “dead in the water,” with clients like Ottawa artist Jordan Danger canceling trips to Universal Studios as a “patriotic” response.

European Disenchantment and Beyond

Western Europe, which accounted for over a third of U.S. foreign visitors in 2024, has also pulled back. A YouGov poll in March 2025 found unfavorable views of the U.S. at historic lows: 53% in Britain, 56% in Germany, and 74% in Denmark. Visitor numbers from Germany fell 28% in March, Spain 25%, and Denmark 6%, driven by Trump’s rhetoric on Greenland and trade disputes, including a threatened 200% tariff on European champagne.

Travelers like Jens Muellers, who canceled a trip to Washington’s national parks, cited Trump’s layoffs at the National Park Service and budget cuts to federal lands as dealbreakers. Danish traveler Kennet Brask, appalled by Trump’s “rude” behavior toward Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, opted for Mexico instead of Florida. European travel agencies reported declining interest, with transatlantic flight searches dropping and countries like France and Norway issuing warnings for transgender and non-binary citizens due to U.S. visa policies requiring biological sex declarations.

Other regions followed suit. Travel from China, a frequent target of Trump’s ire, fell 11% in February, with tourists favoring Australia. Brazilian visitors dropped 21.2% between January and April, and Colombian arrivals shrank 33%. In the Philippines, Penelope Poole scrapped a Florida cruise for a Canadian resort, citing Trump’s “condescending tone.”

Economic and Cultural Fallout

The tourism decline is a blow to an industry still recovering from the pandemic, with international visitor numbers in 2024 already 9% below 2019 levels. The U.S. Travel Association warned that a 10% drop in Canadian travel alone could cost $2.1 billion and 140,000 hospitality jobs. Domestic travel is also expected to fall 1.4%, as tariffs raise prices and erode consumer confidence, with 80% of Americans surveyed by MMGY planning to alter travel behavior due to economic uncertainty.

Tourist hubs like Florida, reliant on Canadian and European visitors, and Texas, tied to Latin American markets, face significant losses. Disney-focused agencies report fears of last-minute cancellations, with clients able to reclaim deposits up to 30 days out. Airlines like Delta and Southwest have cut 2025 earnings forecasts, citing softening demand. The American Bus Association noted that tariffs on Canadian motor coaches could further strain the industry.

Culturally, the boycott reflects a shift in global perceptions. Canadians, feeling “disrespected” by Trump’s rhetoric, have sent letters to U.S. hotels and officials explaining their cancellations, with one stating, “We feel betrayed by our southern friends.” Europeans express shame or fear, with some, like Oregon couple Rick and Barbara Wilson in Paris, hiding American identities abroad. Posts on X amplify the sentiment, with users like @OccupyDemocrats claiming Trump’s tariffs have “destroyed European business travel” and others noting ghost-town resorts like Myrtle Beach.

The Trump Administration’s Response

The White House has defended Trump’s agenda, with spokeswoman Anna Kelly pointing to events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as opportunities to showcase America. However, critics argue that policies like the draft travel ban targeting 43 countries, including Cambodia and St. Lucia, and stricter visa vetting deter visitors. The requirement for foreigners to register fingerprints after 30 days, even for Canadians previously exempt, has been called a “closed” sign by WTTC CEO Julia Simpson.

Travel agents like Micheline Dion in Ontario report clients canceling cruises and trips to Rochester, New York, over fears of detention. Karen Wiese, a Nova Scotia agent, said 40% of her clients have canceled U.S. plans, citing safety concerns for marginalized groups. These fears are fueled by incidents like the detention of a British comic artist for 19 days and two Germans for six weeks, signaling a hardline border stance.

Where Tourists Are Going Instead

Canceled U.S. trips have redirected travelers to alternative destinations. Canadians are exploring domestic sites or heading to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe, with European vacation rentals seeing a 32% jump in Canadian bookings for summer 2025. Europeans are opting for regional travel or Canada, with Germany’s America Unlimited reporting a surge in Canadian bookings. Chinese tourists favor Australia, while Brazilians and Mexicans explore local or Caribbean options.

What Lies Ahead

The tourism crisis shows no signs of abating, with international arrivals down 11.6% in March 2025 and spending projected to fall to $169 billion, 22% below 2019 peaks. The Trump administration’s trade wars, including threats of additional tariffs on Europe and Taiwan, could further erode visitor numbers. Meanwhile, tightened border policies and human rights concerns, particularly for LGBTQ+ travelers, may cement the U.S.’s declining appeal.

The industry faces a critical juncture, with spring and summer travel seasons at risk. Hotel bookings in border regions like Vermont and New Jersey are already down, and school districts and businesses have canceled U.S. trips. While some, like TUI, remain optimistic about U.S. city trips, the broader trend suggests a long-term challenge to reverse the damage.

A Nation at a Crossroads

The wave of cancellations, sparked by Trump’s tariffs, rhetoric, and border policies, has turned the U.S. into a cautionary tale for global travelers. Voices like Jens Muellers and Bertha Lopez, refusing to visit until “things change,” reflect a profound disillusionment with a nation once seen as a welcoming destination. As billions in revenue slip away, the tourism industry braces for a reckoning, caught between political bravado and economic reality.

For the U.S., the challenge is not just financial but existential: can it reclaim its status as a global hub in an era of division? For now, the world is voting with its feet, choosing Canada, Mexico, and beyond over a country mired in controversy. As the crisis deepens, the echoes of “We’re not coming back” will linger, a stark warning of the costs of alienating allies and visitors alike.