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Tourism

Schumer Reveals New Data on Trump's Tariff War Threatening Upstate NY's Main Streets

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Summer tourism season is underway across Upstate New York, but the sector is facing a significant decline in visitors from Canada, Senator Chuck Schumer's office revealed. According to data from Customs and Border Protection (CBP), there were nearly 400,000 fewer travelers who crossed the Upstate NY-Canadian border via land in May 2025 compared to May 2024, a decrease of nearly 25%. This plummeting tourism, due to Trump's tariff war with Canada, is threatening the region's Main Street businesses and tourism economy that rely on a summer boost.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of travelers who crossed the Upstate NY-Canadian border via land decreased by nearly 400,000 in May 2025 compared to May 2024, a nearly 25% decline.
  • This decline in tourism is a result of Trump's tariff war with Canada, which has led to a reduction in Canadian visitors to the US.
  • The decline in tourism is threatening the region's Main Street businesses and tourism economy that rely on a summer boost.
  • Senator Schumer has called for House Republicans to pass a bipartisan resolution to end tariffs on Canada and restore the US-Canadian relationship.
  • The data shows that Upstate NY & Canada saw approximately 1,144,524 border crossings in May, compared to 1,520,424 during the same month in 2024, a nearly 25% decrease across land (both road and bridge) crossings frequented by tourists.
  • A breakdown bridge-by-bridge shows just how steeply tourism is declining across all the major bridge ports of entry between Upstate NY and Canada.
  • Senator Schumer said that since taking office, Trump has damaged the US-Canada relationship by threatening to annex Canada and levying 25% tariffs on Canadian goods.

Statistics:

  • Cancellation of 400,000+ travelers crossing US-Canada border since May 2024
  • 25% decrease in land border crossings (both road and bridge) in May 2025 compared to May 2024
  • 1,144,524 border crossings in May 2025
  • 1,520,424 border crossings in May 2024
  • 22.66% decline in Peace Bridge auto crossings in May 2025 compared to May 2024
  • 28.96% decline in Rainbow Bridge auto crossings in May 2025 compared to May 2024
  • 28.69% decline in Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge auto crossings in May 2025 compared to May 2024

Sources:

  • [Senator Schumer's Office]
  • Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
  • Bridge and Tunnel Operators Association

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