Bellingham businesses report damage from declining Canadian visitor numbers

A survey conducted by the Border Policy Research Institute and the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce reveals that businesses in Washington State are suffering due to a steady decline in Canadian visitors. The drop in vehicle crossings from British Columbia has significantly impacted local economies, particularly in the food and beverage sector, where 91 per cent of respondents described the decline as damaging and 64 per cent expressed concerns regarding their survival.

Retail businesses also reported high levels of distress, with 85 per cent calling the decline damaging and 60 per cent worried about staying in business. Among businesses operating for less than 10 years, 67 per cent reported survival concerns. Many businesses have already implemented changes, 73 per cent of which are permanent or long-term.

Data from the Cascade Gateway Border Data Warehouse indicates that southbound crossings from British Columbia have declined steadily between 2024 and 2026. This trend coincides with heightened trade tensions, including threats of 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports by U.S. President Donald Trump. While a three-day extension on certain tariffs was announced following discussions between U.S. and Canadian leadership, the economic impact on border communities remains severe.