Washington state hit by B.C. residents' cross-border spending slump
B.C. residents aren’t giving up their hard-earned Canadian dollars in Washington state as cross-border travel down south continues to plummet.
Vancity’s newly released Economy & Impact report examined the impact of U.S. tariffs on B.C. consumers’ spending habits.
The credit union collected the data from its members’ enviro Visa spending patterns and found that there is a growing trend among British Columbians about how and where they are choosing to spend their money.
Vancity found that in-person spending in Washington state dropped 47 per cent in the first five months of 2025 compared to the same time last year.
“Vancity credit card data also shows that in-person spending in the U.S. overall has declined 33 per cent year-to-date – dropping from $18 million to $12 million,” stated the report.
Vancity
The credit union’s findings come after the Whatcom Council of Governments’ 2025 Changes in Border Volume data determined that in June 2025, the volume of southbound vehicles from B.C. to Washington state decreased by 43 per cent compared to the same time in 2024.
That’s a slight improvement from May 2025, when southbound B.C. vehicle travel over the Washington border saw a 47 per cent drop compared to May 2024.
The Whatcom Council of Governments’ data comprises vehicle volume from the Peace Arch, Pacific Highway, Lynden, and Sumas ports of entry.
The slowdown of B.C. to Washington state is directly linked to U.S. President Donald Trump and his turbulent trade decisions regarding Canada, as well as his repeated threats against Canadian sovereignty.
Some Daily Hive readers were candid in sharing why they will not be visiting Washington state or other parts of the U.S. anytime soon.
“We are absolutely boycotting any travel to the USA. Cancelled travelling to Palm Springs this past spring as well as cancelled any plans to take our RV to Washington for camping,” stated Derrik Middleton.
“All our friends are doing the same thing. Making travel plans in B.C. instead,” he added.
rarrarorro/Shutterstock
Reader TM said that as a Canadian, they cannot support the U.S. “with tourism or in any financial way.”
They added that they recently cancelled a cruise to Alaska as well as travel plans to Arizona.
“The damage that is being done to international relations for the USA will take years to heal if ever,” they said.
GH shared a similar sentiment with Daily Hive, noting that their entire family was planning on attending a conference in Oregon in July.
“We cancelled it due to Trump’s repeated message to annex Canada and his lies about the U.S. subsidizing Canada,” they said.
Parksville, B.C., resident noted that they’ve chosen not to travel to the U.S. since “orange man was elected,” adding they have no intention to go back for the foreseeable future.
“That goes hand in hand with my near complete avoidance of purchasing any U.S.-made products,” they concluded.