In the year following Donald Trump’s second term inauguration as U.S. President, there has been a noticeable decrease in Canadian visitors crossing the international bridge in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Tom Stephenson, a resident of Heyden near Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., has observed a 23.8% decline in Canadian cars at the border. Stephenson, who frequently crosses into Michigan for shopping and to receive mail, noted the reduced presence of Ontario license plates in parking lots.
Damon Lieurance, a business owner in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., has also taken notice of the change in Canadian visitors. While major retailers’ parking lots remain busy, there has been a shift in the ratio of Canadian to Michigan license plates. Lieurance mentioned an increase in Canadian travelers at the airport, indicating a gradual return to pre-COVID levels.
Expressing his support for Trump and the Republican Party, Lieurance, an elected commissioner in Chippewa County, highlighted the challenges faced by the Sault border due to the pandemic and political tensions. Veterinarian Jeff LaHuis from the Sault Animal Hospital shared that although there was a temporary decrease in Canadian clients, numbers have rebounded, expressing optimism for the enduring alliance between the U.S. and Canada.
Local businesses in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., have seen a decline in Canadian customers over the past 25 years due to increased border restrictions post-9/11 and exacerbated by the pandemic. Ray Bauer, owner of the Soo Brewing Company, emphasized that the decrease in visitors is not solely attributable to Trump’s policies but also reflects shifting consumer habits. Despite ongoing challenges, Bauer remains skeptical about any potential policy changes that would benefit border businesses under the current administration.