A new wave of U.S. tariffs on Canadian exports took effect on March 4 – only to be abruptly modified on March 6, when President Donald Trump announced that products compliant with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) would escape the highest rates until early April. This sudden reprieve still leaves many Canadian goods facing tariffs of at least 10%, and it has done little to calm public anger north of the border. A large-scale survey of nearly 1,200 Canadians conducted by Palm Desert-based GPS Market Intel suggests deep and growing resentment, with many threatening to boycott U.S. goods and travel. In Greater Palm Springs, businesses that rely on Canadian “snowbirds” and short-term vacationers are bracing for potential fallout.
Tariffs Imposed, Then Partially Suspended
The White House initially levied duties of up to 25% on a broad range of Canadian products, citing migration and drug-trafficking concerns. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government responded with its own retaliatory measures, and both sides seemed poised for escalation. But after a wave of criticism from American automakers and other industries, President Trump announced a temporary exemption for imports documented under USMCA rules.
According to a White House official, approximately 36–38% of Canadian imports typically qualify for USMCA preferences. Those imports will, for now, avoid the 25% tariff. Items that do not qualify – particularly energy exports – face a 10% tariff, lowered from 25%. The U.S. also reduced tariffs on Canadian potash (a fertilizer vital to American farmers) to 10%. For its part, Canada paused a second wave of retaliatory tariffs on $125 billion worth of U.S. goods but warned it would impose them if the U.S. fully reinstated or expanded its original tariff package.
New Survey Reveals Escalating Anger
Even with the White House’s pivot, Canadian public sentiment remains overwhelmingly negative, as shown by the GPS Market Intel online survey that garnered 499 respondents who shared their opinions as follows:
- Feelings on Tariffs
- Very negative: 81.3%
- Somewhat negative: 5.7%
- Neutral: 5.4%
- Somewhat positive: %2
- Very positive: 5.6%
Overall, 87% of respondents said their view of the tariffs is negative.
- Expectation of Economic Impact to Canada
- Major negative impact: 78.6%
- Minor negative impact: 16.5%
- No impact: 8%
- Unsure: 2.7%
Nearly 95% believe the tariffs will harm Canada’s economy – most say severely.
- Boycotting and/or Cutting Back on Purchasing U.S. Goods
- Will boycott all U.S. goods: 71.8%
- Will cut back substantially: 22.8%
- Plan to cut back slightly: 3.6%
- No plan to boycott or curtail purchases at all: 11.6%
More than 94% indicate a strong intention to halt or reduce the purchase of U.S. products entirely.
- Travel Plans in Response
- Cancel all travel: 60.7%
- Reduce travel: 19.1%
- No change: 19.1%
- Do not travel to the U.S.: 5.9%
Roughly 80% of respondents who typically travel to the U.S. say they plan to reduce or cancel trips.
- Part-Time Residents
Among those who usually spend more than 30 days in the U.S. each year, 58.8% said they would likely cut back, versus 30.5% who said the tariffs would not alter their plans. Those who were not sure comprised 10.5% of respondents.
Voices from the Survey
Many respondents shared pointed remarks in the open-ended section of the survey. One wrote:
“We have cancelled plans to vacation in California this summer. We used to travel to Wash. State bi-weekly to shop but have stopped doing so. Buying Canadian products and/or other non-US products wherever possible.”
Others offered:
“I had planned on traveling to the US this year and I have cancelled my trip. I was about to buy a house in the US as I am approaching retirement. I have decided to purchase a home in Europe instead. I have completely stopped buying anything American and that will continue until a new administration has been elected in the US.”
“I’m not going to plan a holiday in a place that feels hostile, even if I’ve gone there for years.”
“We’ve wintered in the US for 6 months at a time for 13 years. We’ll not return until there is a new U.S. administration.”
“My opinion of our neighbors has forever changed. I will buy Canadian or elsewhere but not US. I WILL NOT EVER step foot into the US or territories again in my life. Canada is so beautiful, I will pay more to travel and spend in my own country. Lots of other beautiful places to visit in the world. What a sad situation for all.”
“We should not buy any USA products, and we should buy Canadian made/products, support our Canadian labor and we will not visit USA, so we can see the result of USA government.”
Threat to Greater Palm Springs
Because Canadian visitors traditionally represent a core segment of international tourism in Greater Palm Springs – particularly during winter – local businesses are worried about the ripple effects from any boycott.
2023 Economic Impact Study
A 2023 Economic Impact of Tourism report conducted by Tourism Economics for Visit Greater Palm Springs highlights the region’s dependence on visitor spending:
- 14.4 million total visitors in 2023 (3.2% are international), generating
- $7.4 billion in direct travel-related spending,
- $9.0 billion in total economic impact (including indirect/induced effects), and
- 50,936 local jobs supported by tourism.
Although Canadians are not specifically broken out in the data, they are believed to make up the largest share of the 3.2% of international travelers. Experts note that the longer stays of “snowbirds” yield higher-than-average expenditures on lodging, dining, golf, and retail. An illustrative model suggests that if Canadians account for about 2% of total visitors (roughly 288,000 individuals annually), they contribute $259 million in direct spending – translating to $317 million in overall economic impact. If 60% of these visitors opt out as indicated in the survey, that alone could cost the region at least $156 million in lost revenue, a figure that does not include those who said that they would reduce their travel frequency and duration in the U.S.
Confusion and Uncertainty
While the U.S. administration’s decision to pause many tariffs for a month alleviates some immediate fears, the rapid policy changes have sown confusion. President Trump has hinted at reinstating or expanding the levies in April if certain conditions are not met, and Canada stands ready to retaliate.
One survey respondent’s comment captures the broader sense of unpredictability:
“We are fed up with the flip-flopping. There’s no trust that this is stable. How are we supposed to plan? We might as well stay home.”
Hopefully, Canadians’ fondness for Greater Palm Springs, which has developed over the years, can outweigh their frustration over federal policies.
Looking Ahead
As negotiations continue, business groups, farmers, and consumers are mounting pressure on both the U.S. and Canada. A permanent rollback of the tariffs could help rebuild cross-border confidence; however, if the dispute lingers or escalates, even a modest percentage of Canadians following through on their boycott plans could significantly dent Greater Palm Springs’ winter-season economy.
For now, many travelers appear to be in a holding pattern – hesitant to commit to U.S. vacations or major purchases while political tensions simmer. Whether the temporary pause is a stepping stone to resolution or a brief calm before another tariff storm remains to be seen.
