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Companies across the U.S. border in Whatcom County say the loss of Canadian buyers continues to have a devastating impact on them.
“There have been a few ups and downs, but right now we’re actually experiencing a business loss of over 20 percent,” Echo Mae, owner of Northwest Yarns in Bellingham, told Global News.
“And yes, this is directly caused by not having Canadians coming here.”
The loss of business meant tough decisions, including cutting staff hours and moving away from luxury products.
“The lasting impact, and if this continues, is that we will have to close the business, and we really don’t want to do that,” Mae said.
The decline in business isn’t unique to Northwest Yarns.
A new report from Western Washington University estimates Whatcom County is losing about US$64 million in Canadian spending between 2024 and 2025.
In early 2025, Donald Trump’s administration began imposing steep trade tariffs on Canada and making threats to take over the country – sparking a backlash that included reducing cross-border travel and spending on American goods.
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“The main conclusion from some of our research is that Canadians who still cross the border are doing so less often for economic reasons such as shopping and buying gas, and more to visit family or friends or for recreation,” said Laurie Trautman, director of the university’s Border Policy Research Institute.
The report shows shopping visits in Canada have fallen 71 per cent compared to 2019 – largely due to the tense political and economic climate between the two countries and the weakening Canadian dollar.
“Businesses no longer view this lack of Canadian visitors as a temporary situation they have to wait out,” Trautman said.
“They see this as a medium-term and potentially long-term scenario.”
While the loss of Canadian shoppers is significant, the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce says the relationship between Canada and the U.S. extends beyond retail.
“We are here and ready to welcome you all back when you are ready to return,” said president and CEO Guy Occhiogrosso.
Mae says familiar Canadian shoppers won’t be returning any time soon.
“Oh my gosh, we miss them so much,” he said. “We miss you all so much.”
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
