Trump's Tariff War Takes Toll on Border Towns as Traffic Plummets and Businesses Suffer

On the northeastern edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a gathering of nearly 1,100 people recently marked the annual International Bridge Walk across the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge connecting two cities with the same name: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Despite the festive atmosphere, this event is overshadowed by deteriorating relations between the United States and Canada due to President Donald Trump's ongoing tariff war.

Traffic over the bridge has significantly decreased, reflecting broader tensions in U.S.-Canada trade relations. In recent weeks, the White House announced additional tariffs on Canadian products, citing "discriminatory treatment of American products." This move followed earlier threats by Trump to impose new duties in retaliation for wildfire smoke from Canada affecting parts of the United States.

The Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge has seen a notable decline in traffic, with 270,000 fewer crossings last year compared to 2024—a drop of nearly 24%. This trend is mirrored across other Michigan border crossings but stands out due to its severe impact on the local economy. According to the International Bridge Administration, the Sault area lost at least $82.9 million in local spending because of decreased traffic, with $62.7 million on the U.S. side and $20.2 million on the Canadian side.

The economic strain is compounded by the absence of political leadership advocating for the region's interests. Representative Jack Bergman, a Republican endorsed by President Trump, has been notably silent on these issues despite his previous support for strong ties with Canada. During Trump’s first term, Bergman had praised the Sault bridge as vital to cross-border trade and tourism. However, in recent years, he has made no public statements regarding the tariffs or their impact.

In response to U.S. actions, Canada is implementing emergency measures and promoting "buy local" campaigns to mitigate economic losses. This shift means fewer Canadians are crossing into Michigan for everyday activities like shopping, dining, and leisure travel. The broader trend shows that the number of Canadians returning from the United States dropped by over 25% in 2025 according to data released by Statistics Canada.

Local businesses and communities feel the brunt of these changes. Professor Michael Broadway of Northern Michigan University, who has extensively researched cross-border traffic trends, notes that ordinary citizens can only do so much about federal politics but have begun voting with their feet by reducing travel across borders. This boycott is a direct response to what many Canadians perceive as unfair trade practices from the U.S.

The situation highlights the significant economic and social impact of international policy decisions on small border communities. As tensions continue, it remains unclear whether there will be any efforts at reconciliation or if these towns will face prolonged challenges due to deteriorating cross-border relations.