Tourists from nations affected by Trump’s tariffs shun U.S. travel
Additionally, travelers from both the UK and the US are showing a stronger preference for local getaways, likely influenced by ongoing economic uncertainty.
Vacationers from countries most impacted by Donald Trump’s trade tariffs are increasingly excluding the United States from their travel plans, according to recent data from an online booking platform.
Hotel search engine Trivago reports a noticeable decline in interest from these nations, reflecting a broader shift.
Additionally, travelers from both the UK and the US are showing a stronger preference for local getaways, likely influenced by ongoing economic uncertainty.
Bookings to the U.S. have plummeted from countries most affected by Donald Trump's trade tariffs, with Trivago reporting steep double-digit declines in interest from travelers in Japan, Canada, and Mexico.
Canada and Mexico, among the first hit by Trump's 25% tariff policy rolled out in January 2025, have seen particularly sharp drops, driven in part by political tensions especially Canadian outrage over Trump’s repeated remarks suggesting the country would be better off as the U.S.’s 51st state.
German travelers are also showing significantly reduced interest, with U.S. hotel bookings falling by a smaller, yet notable, single-digit percentage.
Germany, the EU’s largest economy, has frequently been in Trump’s tariff crosshairs, most recently narrowly avoiding a 50% tax that was postponed just days ago.
While UK travel to the U.S. remains relatively steady, likely due to lighter tariffs and recent trade breakthroughs, U.S. tourism officials are warning of a growing “Trump Slump” as the president’s tariff war rattles global markets.
The U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office reported an 11.6% year-on-year drop in international visitors for March, further stoking fears in the $2.6 trillion tourism industry.
Trivago data also indicates that Americans are tightening travel budgets, increasingly booking lower-cost accommodations and budget hotels.
Domestically, however, travel is booming. UK bookings for local summer holidays have surged by 25% year-on-year, as economic unease nudges travelers to vacation closer to home.
London remains the top choice, followed by Edinburgh with demand up nearly 30% then York, Blackpool, and Manchester.
“In times of uncertainty, people stay closer to home,” said Johannes Thomas, Trivago CEO.
