Tensions are escalating in a beautiful Pacific Northwest seaside community where residents have to travel through Canada to reach the US.
Residents in Port Roberts, Washington, have found themselves entangled in the fallout from the continuing trade disputes between the two nations ever since the president took action. Donald Trump warned they would impose significant duties on an extensive range of products coming into the country from Canada.
People residing in this tiny exclave, which forms part of a country but is physically cut off from its main territory by another nation’s land, are experiencing the immediate impact of the chaotic tariffs firsthand – particularly affecting their three eateries and lone supermarket.
The unique five-square-mile community in Whatcom County is surrounded by water on three sides and has only one land connection to Canada.
Residents can either re-enter the US through one border crossing and about a 25 miles car ride to reach downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, or they can make their way through two border crossings and an approximate 25 mile car ride through Canada to then enter the US at Boundary Bay Border.
More than 70 percent of properties are owned by Canadians, and more than 50 percent of an estimated 1,200 residents have dual citizenship, Wayne Lyle, the President of Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce, told the Canadian Press.
The few local businesses and popular tourist attractions, including beaches, hiking trails and a golf course, have been suffering economically as many Canadians have boycotted the area ever since Trump's tariff threats and talks about making Canada the 51st state of the US.
Despite all their frustration, Americans said they don't blame Canadians for feeling that way, but they are still suffering tremendously from the fallout.
'This was really devastating,' Tamra Hansen, a longtime resident and business owner in the exclave told the outlet. 'If we don't get the support from the Canadians, this town will die.'
Point Roberts Fire Chief Christopher Carleton echoed Hansen's concerns, especially since many of his firefighters live across the border.
"We should look after each other and show kindness to one another, rather than letting those who aren’t aware of our existence disturb the relationships we presently share," Carleton stated.
In the meantime, Mark Nykolaichuk, residing in the Vancouver, B.C. region, expressed his hope of playing a role in maintaining the vibrancy of the community.
Nykolaichuk declines to visit the mainland United States, however, he has made an exception for Port Roberts due to its strong connections with Canada.
He particularly visits the only grocery store in the exclave — the Point Roberts International Marketplace — to purchase food items he can prepare at his holiday house.
Due to U.S. customs regulations, raw meat isn't allowed across the border, forcing Nykolaichuk to buy it in town instead.
'Nobody wants to see this place shut down,' he said. 'If this place goes, where are the U.S. citizens going to eat? Where are they going to get their food from?'
The management of the marketplace has recently stated that their business has dropped by 20 to 30 percent.
Likewise, the local liquor outlet, Larry's Liquor Locker, has experienced a 40 percent drop in sales over the past month.
The 75-year-old owner, Larry Musselwhite, has been confronting a difficult truth which he attributes to Trump.
'This is because of our elected president, who really doesn’t care about the common man and the struggles that we have to go through,' Musselwhite said.
'It greatly affects how I live my life.'
Around 75 percent of Port Roberts residents voted for a presidential candidate other than Trump, according to 2024 election results.
Hansen, who owns two businesses in the area, said the political climate has severely impacted resident's relationships with neighboring Canadians.
'We’ve always gotten along and it’s just nonsensical because now the U.S. is going to suffer too,' the dual citizen said.
'I definitely feel for the Canadian people at this time because they’ve got their backs against the wall, really, and they have to retaliate.'
She manages a breakfast place named Saltwater Cafe and also operates a restaurant called The Pier.
Hansen employs 15 people whom she compensates directly. However, since February, her business has declined by 55% relative to the previous year. Some days, her revenue was so low that it did not reach even $100.
'Some companies are currently shutting down as we speak,' she mentioned.
'This is deeply touching for me since I have feelings for everyone residing here.'
In reaction to Trump's fluctuating tariff threats, Canada has pledged counter-tariffs against the US.
Residents have grown more irritated with Trump’s fluctuating imposition and cessation of tariffs, causing numerous discrepancies, particularly within their enterprises.
Hugh Wilson, a nearby property broker handling several Airbnb spots in the area, mentioned that he has been experiencing numerous cancelations recently.
"Here, nobody knows the exact rules for certain each day. The border agents try their hardest to keep updated and pass this information along to regular folks like us who cross the border," Wilson explained.
Apart from imported products, people in Port Roberts are worried that Canada may introduce taxes on essential services if the situation worsens.
"If things get tougher, they could easily shut off the water supply or electricity," remarked Brian Calder, who previously served as the president of the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce.
'It all just relies on how much additional conflict is stirred up by Trump’s team.'
Calder also backs how Canadians are handling the significant upheaval and threats, referring to Trump's approach as 'completely foolish and cruel.'
"And furthermore, you jeopardised the unity of Canada as a country," Calder stated regarding the president.
'No one doubts that Canada will respond ... they have all the justification for doing so.'
Lyle mentioned that the absence of Canadian tourists hasn't just affected businesses throughout the exclave; it has also fostered a rather 'disturbing' environment.
The present political climate is downright frightening for our enterprises over there. Ninety percent of our business comes from Canada," Lyle clarified.
He likened the scenario to kids experiencing their parents' divorce, explaining to the audience that Canadian Press : 'I talked to someone last week, and they said they could best sum it up by saying Point Roberts is basically the children going through a divorce proceeding, the parents are the two countries, so we're powerless.'
Calder and other locals are presently attempting to resolve the problem by contacting both the British Columbia premier and the governor of Washington.
Jed Holmes, a spokesperson for Whatcom County, informed AP that they are engaging with Washington state’s representatives in Congress in D.C. to tackle the escalating problems in Point Roberts due to the worsening relations between the U.S. and Canada.
"I realise that people expect us to take further action, yet it's quite difficult to pinpoint what significant steps a local government can undertake to alter this situation on an international scale," Holmes stated.
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