According to Carroll Solomon, Secretary of the local Chamber of Commerce, a handful of Canadians still visit the Blaine visitor center, but primarily to access the public restroom.
Not far away, on a recent Sunday, Trent Arce and Gary Farrow were conversing beside the town’s welcome sign that reads “Blaine, Washington, the Peace Arch City,” referencing the 67-foot monument celebrating U.S.-Canada friendship. The two, who work at a nearby cold storage facility, didn’t seem overly concerned about the drop in Canadian visitors.
David Jaewon Oh for NBC News
“Trump is quite unpredictable with his words and actions,” said Arce, who hails from Georgia.
“People will eventually move past it,” stated Farrow, a local resident of Blaine. “I believe it will fade away.”
Blaine’s Mayor Mary Lou Steward remains cautiously optimistic. The town was already facing challenges from inflation before Trump’s tariff threats intensified, and now she expresses concern that they might have to consider “furloughs” due to diminishing sales tax income.
David Jaewon Oh for NBC News
The growing boycott among Canadians is compelling some business owners in Washington state to answer for actions taken by leaders in Washington, D.C.
“One woman reached out to tell us that although our inn is wonderful, she cannot bring herself to cross the border because our president has offended and disrespected Canadians,” shared Teri Treat, managing partner of The Inn at Lynden. The 35-room hotel, situated about 15 miles southeast of Blaine in a town famed for its Dutch heritage and architecture, has witnessed an increase in cancellations from Canadian visitors, she noted.
“In response, we expressed our genuine shock and sadness regarding this administration’s policies and conveyed that we understand her feelings,” Treat remarked.
