With the Trump Administration raising sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods to 35%, Senator Chuck Schumer announced he would force a vote when Congress reconvenes in September.
“This is a people issue, this is an economic issue,” Schumer said in downtown Niagara Falls on Tuesday, noting a vote earlier this year failed to pass a majority in the Senate. “It’s not a partisan issue, but we just can’t let this chaos continue.”
His appearance with Niagara and Erie county officials and business leaders comes as data shows there have been nearly 975,000 fewer border crossings from Canada to Western New York since President Trump took office — a nearly 20% decrease. The resulting loss in travelers has been a major hit to local businesses and tourist destinations.
Schumer added that upstate New York families could expect to pay an additional $2,400 a year on common goods like food, clothes and electronics because of the tariffs. Businesses that also rely on Canadian-made goods are facing added financial burdens.
“It’s the people who work here, those are the ones who are going to end up suffering if there has to be a contraction,” added Mayor Robert Restaino.
The drop in Canadian visitors came as Trump first announced a 25% tariff on most Canadian goods this past February and had said he wanted to make the country the U.S.’s 51st state.
According to the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, the Rainbow Bridge saw 90,677 Canada-bound vehicles this past July, with 105,465 U.S.-bound vehicles, along with 118,970 pedestrians. The numbers are a big drop from 2024, when 121,139 Canada-bound vehicles, 128,586 U.S.-bound vehicles and 128,756 pedestrians crossed the bridge.
The Lewiston-Queenston Bridge had 114,672 Canada-bound vehicles crossing this past July, with 134,169 U.S.-bound vehicles. July 2024 saw 133,264 Canada-bound crossings and 161,448 U.S.-bound crossings.
The Fashion Outlets mall has reportedly seen 30% less foot traffic than last year. Despite the Aquarium of Niagara completing a major expansion last year and working on a new seal exhibit, it saw an 18% decrease in attendance this past July, according to reports. Artpark is projecting a loss of 60% of its Canadian visitors this season, losing out on at least $150,000 in revenue.
Hotel occupancy rates in Niagara Falls are down around 7% compared to last year.
Nirel Patel, the president of Rural Hospital and Element Development Group, said that because of the tariffs, his planned expansion of the Courtyard Marriott on Buffalo Avenue has become cost-prohibitive. He even invited President Trump to Niagara Falls to see the impact they are having.
“We’ve seen decades and decades of hardship,” Patel said. “We’re finally where we can see hope, but that hope can be quickly diminished with ill-timed economic policies that affect all of us.”