Schumer Calls for End to Trump's "Destructive Trade War" with Canada

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer has stood with Western NY business leaders to say enough is enough, as the state is being hit harder than nearly anywhere else in the country by plummeting summer tourism and rising prices due to Trump's tariffs. Schumer announced Democrats will force a vote in the Senate to put an end to Trump's ill-conceived cost-raising trade war with Canada, which is killing the summer tourism economy, threatening thousands of jobs and Main Streets in the Buffalo-Niagara region.

Key Takeaways:

  • Since Trump took office, tourism across the U.S.-Canada border has dropped by nearly 975,000 travelers, with Western NY hit first and hardest.
  • The decline in Canadian tourism has led to a staggering 18% drop in revenue for local businesses, with hotel occupancy in Niagara Falls down over 7% compared to last year.
  • The Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA is experiencing 30% less foot traffic than last year, with various stores in the mall seeing at least double-digit sales decreases.
  • Trump's tariffs are also hurting local businesses that depend on materials from Canada, with BNP Empowered Print predicting an annualized cost increase of over $225,000 for materials such as ink and printing plates.
  • Senator Schumer has called on NY House Republicans to stand with the families and small businesses that are footing the bill for these costly Trump tariffs.
  • Schumer announced that Democrats will force a vote in the Senate to end Trump's destructive trade war with Canada, with the senator using a special fast-track process to ensure the vote takes place.
  • The senator has also called for an end to the tariffs on Canada, which were previously passed by the Senate in a bipartisan resolution.

Statistics:

  • 975,000: the number of travelers who have crossed the U.S.-Canada border since Trump took office.
  • 18%: the drop in revenue for local businesses due to the decline in Canadian tourism.
  • 7%: the drop in hotel occupancy in Niagara Falls compared to last year.
  • 30%: the decrease in foot traffic at the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA.
  • $225,000: the predicted annualized cost increase for BNP Empowered Print due to Trump's tariffs.
  • $2,400: the estimated annual cost to families due to Trump's tariffs, according to the Budget Lab at Yale.

Sources:

  • Schumer, Chuck. "Schumer Releases Statement on Trump's Destructive Trade War with Canada." Office of the Senator Chuck Schumer, 2023.
  • Visit Buffalo Niagara. "Visit Buffalo Niagara." Visit Buffalo Niagara, 2023.
  • BNP Empowered Print. "BNP Empowered Print." BNP Empowered Print, 2023.
  • Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. "Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz." Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz, 2023.
  • Yale Budget Lab. "Yale Budget Lab." Yale Budget Lab, 2023.