Conservative outlet National Review issued a damming report on President Donald Trump’s stance on Canada.
Titled: “This Beach Town Relies on Canadians. Trump’s Taunts, Tariffs Could Keep Them Away: ‘We Need Them’” the heading is not in line with the Trump sentiment that America doesn't “need anything they have.”
“Few American tourist destinations are as reliant on Canadian tourists as Old Orchard Beach, an old-timey resort town 20 miles south of Portland, Maine,” reporter Ryan Mills said.
He reached out to several businesses and the city’s Chamber of Commerce and, of those who responded, many were concerned.
“It’s polarizing,” said Councilman Connor Rague.
“People are afraid of losing business.”
Rague called Trump’s attacks on Canada “completely unnecessary” and said the president is, “being a bully.” Later adding, the language is “messing with people’s livelihoods.”
“We want [Canadians] here,” he said. “We need them here.”
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Business owner Fred Kennedy told the outlet he’s been sent “heartfelt” emails from Canadians telling him they won’t be coming this year.
Kennedy told the outlet, “I’m not sure how this is all going to work out."
“I don’t want to offend Canadians or discount their anger," he added.
Kennedy also noted that new border regulations and a weak Canadian dollar might also be affecting choices to travel.
The outlet also brought to light data showing Canadians are visiting the United States less since Trump's election. “According to the country’s statistics office, Canadian resident return trips by air were down 2.4 percent in February from the same month in 2024, while return trips from the U.S. by road were down 23 percent.”
Mills also noted, “The drop-off worsened in March: Return trips from the U.S. by air were down 13.5 percent from March 2024, and returns by road were down 31.9 percent.”
The writer delved into how important Canada is to the tourism industry in the U.S. “More than 20 million Canadians traveled to the U.S. last year, generating $20.5 billion in spending and supporting about 140,000 American jobs, according to the U.S. Travel Association.”
Canadians make up about a quarter or more of all international visitors.
The tourism office in Maine, as well as other states, is now dropping its forecasts for Canadian visits in 2025.
The dismal outlook is potentially shocking for an outlet whose reporting style is typically in favor of the GOP's policies.