Washington: The United States has issued fresh warnings to Americans planning cross-border travel to Canada, highlighting massive traffic backups and sharp fall in crossings due to escalating trade disputes. US State Department advisories have laid focus on preparing for significant delays near border-crossing points, as Canadian land travel to the US dipped over 30% in 2025, thereby, signalling mutual avoidance amid tariff threats from President Donald Trump.
The alerts come at a time when President Donald Trump threatened 100% tariffs on Canadian goods over Ottawa’s trade push with China, labeling Prime Minister Mark Carney’s moves as an attempt to turn Canada into a “drop-off port” for Chinese imports. This has fueled boycotts, with Statistics Canad
a reporting 31% fall in vehicle trips south through September 2025 and US experts projecting billions in revenue loss from tourism.
US travellers face gridlock at major US border crossings like Peace Arch and Detroit-Windsor, where lanes remain frighteningly empty northward while south-bound traffic creeps slowly. The State Department’s Canada advisory, at Level 1 (“Exercise normal precautions”), notes: “Be prepared for traffic backups near US border crossings,” along with tips on GPS apps and safe routing.
Canadian officials echo similar chaos, with border wait tools showing prolonged delays. Washington’s Lt. Gov. Denny Heck called it an “unforced error,” adversely affecting small businesses ahead of events like the FIFA World Cup. US tourism operators decry the fallout, as Canadians opt for domestic stays fearing scrutiny or raids.
Diplomatic strains continues, with reciprocal tariffs already biting—US spirits exports to Canada down 85%. Travellers have been urged to check real-time apps, avoid peak hours, and monitor advisories. As relations sour, what was once seamless neighborly traffic now symbolizes a fractured trade alliance.