Current diplomatic relations between Canada and the U.S. are fraught, to say the least. The current trade war has seen the imposition of multiple tariffs on Canada, targeting Canadian auto vehicles as well as aluminum, and other nations, leaving many Canadians feeling betrayed by the U.S. The Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, declared that Canada and the U.S.’ old relationship, one “based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation, is over.” But while the economic aspect of this conflict is crucial, there is a more subtle signal of what Europe and Canada currently think of the new U.S. administration and the domestic situation there. Such criticism has been expressed in the form of travel advisories to the U.S..
Canada, Finland, Germany, the U.K., and Denmark have all issued travel advisories about the U.S. More recently, Norway, the Netherlands, and Portugal followed suit. Each of these countries highlights that the reasons for issuing an advisory stem from the current policies of the U.S., namely stricter immigration rules as well as the U.S. not recognizing the diversity of genders. For example, Denmark’s issued travel advisory advised those that are transgendered to exercise increased caution due to some of President Trump’s policies.
The undertone is more complex than saying “do not go here.” These advisories represent an acknowledgement that relations with the U.S. on a bilateral level are eroding rapidly. This is most exemplified by the trade war that Trump initiated against friend and foe alike. Such economic disruption, especially damages developing countries seeking to industrialize. How travel advisories factor into this is an acknowledgement from disgruntled allies that the previous status quo of American allyship has now disintegrated. The domestic situation also poses a threat to the citizens of these nations that have enacted a travel advisory towards the U.S. One such example is the story of Jasmine Mooney, who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while attempting to cross the Canada-U.S. border with a valid work visa and the proper papers. Mooney attests that there was “no explanation, no warning” for her detention. The fact that the U.S. is cracking down on immigration and visitors to the U.S. is cause for serious concern, as it has started to spawn an emerging constitutional crisis that seems to justify other nations’ travel advisories.
The economic ramifications are apparent with some U.S. economic experts suggesting that the lack of travel to the U.S. might cause local economies harm. With drops of up to 60% of Canadian tourists not visiting some U.S. states, this seems to be the case as those local economies are no longer getting boosts from Canadian spending. Forbes has estimated that such a drop in travel could cause the U.S. economy to lose $2.1 Billion USD and lose 140,000 jobs.
All these events foretell a troubling shift in the domestic situation in the U.S. The United States is experiencing a severe backsliding in terms of democratic development. Trump’s open defiance of courts and the actions allegedly being undertaken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), such as detaining citizens, suggest an America that is shifting away from the democratic ideals of North Atlantic Treaty Organization. As such, NATO member states have recognized this with their issuance of travel advisories. These advisories are a diplomatic means of illustrating the degradation of multiple bilateral relationships that these nations have with the U.S.
Economically speaking, the U.S. is still the world’s largest economy with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $25.43 Trillion USD as of 2024. Militarily, as well, the U.S. ranks top in 2024 in spending with $876 billion in defence spending. As such, nations seeking to challenge the U.S. in some areas cannot match its sheer output. Travel advisories serve as an alternative means of attempting to influence the U.S. Canada and Denmark’s advisory, as well as the respective economic boycott happening in these two countries, have caused the U.S. to reconsider its stance on its new policies. One such reconsideration is the new Canadian Snowbird Act, which attempts to entice older Canadians who vacation in the U.S. to stay longer. Yet, with the current climate in Canada regarding the U.S., it seems unclear whether this will have an effect.
In the issuing of the travel advisories, and the resulting economic implications of them, it has become apparent that such a diplomatic manoeuvre, coupled with the resulting economic pressure it exerts, has power in and of itself. As such, those that seem to neglect the use of such a diplomatic means ignore the influence that middle power countries, such as Canada, can exert on global giants like the U.S. Economic pressure is crucial to maintaining the rules-based international order, as not using these methods only leaves military means of influencing nations. The use of travel advisories by NATO countries to the U.S. signals that they are still willing to uphold the rules-based international order in the face of a changing international landscape.
