Self-Inflicted Pain

Most Americans who consume news about the economy have heard expert after expert quote how much tourism trade we've lost since the President suggested that Canada should be America's 51st State...and it's only getting worse as he continues to say it. From the percent decline in border crossings and inbound flights to the sheer amount of forfeited consumer spending, the numbers are so staggering as to be almost unbelievable.

So far, the generally held assumption is that all these losses are based on rhetoric regarding tariffs and sovereignty. But this morning, the "why" becomes much clearer with the release of Longwoods International's Canadian Travel Sentiment Study. Among the findings, 63% of Canadians are less likely to visit the U.S. because of U.S. policy and politics. And, if it was the President's intent to cripple the Canadian economy (as has been reported by some media outlets), it's not working as 42% of Canadians are replacing American vacations with domestic travel, keeping their money at home.

Great stuff for anyone trying to devise a way out of this mess. Thanks, Longwoods!