Foreign visitors are canceling trips to the United States in record numbers as U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war escalated, with March seeing a nearly 12 percent decline year on year in arrivals. The U.S. tourism industry has long maintained a significant trade surplus with the rest of the world, generating about 1.3 trillion U.S. dollars in revenue for 2024 and supporting around 15 million jobs, according to the U.S. Travel Association. According to data from the U.S. International Trade Administartion, the decrease was particularly pronounced among visitors from Central America which dropped by 24 percent and Western Europe, down by 17 percent, with Germany and Spain showing the most dramatic declines at 28 percent and 25 percent, respectively. Notably, these figures exclude visitors from Canada, the largest source of international tourists to the United States. The U.S. Travel Association estimates that Canadians contribute around 20 million visits annually, escaping harsh winters to vacation in states like Florida, Arizona, and California, where they generate over 20 billion dollars in spending. But road trips from Canada to the United States have fallen by 32 percent, while the number of people returning to Canada by plane from the United States has decreased by 13.5 percent. This follows Canada's "shop local" campaign launched in response to U.S. tariffs, which has significantly impacted traditional winter sun destinations like Florida and Arizona. Industry experts suggest multiple factors are driving the trend, including the ongoing trade war's ripple effects, negative political rhetoric affecting America's image abroad, and stricter border controls creating an unwelcoming perception. The economic consequences could be severe. The U.S. Travel Association warns the sector might lose 72 billion dollars throughout this year. Goldman Sachs estimates that in the worst-case scenario, reduced tourism could cut 0.3 percent from the U.S. GDP, equivalent to some 90 billion dollars. Tourism Economics, an industry research firm, projected a 9.4 percent decline in international visitors to the United States in 2025 in its report released on April 3, a dramatic reversal from the nine percent increase it had originally forecast at the beginning of the year. Adam Sacks, president of the institute said that despite tourism officials' efforts to counter negative perceptions, the U.S. tourism still faces significant challenges given global backlash against Trump's policies.
Trump's trade war batters US tourism with sharp decline in inbound visitors
The U.S. military strike against Venezuela and capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro, has shocked the international community, triggering a steady stream of condemnation and serious concerns worldwide.
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain issued a joint statement on Sunday, expressing serious concern about and firm opposition to the U.S. unilateral military operations in Venezuela.
The U.S. actions contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, as enshrined in the UN Charter, constituting an extremely dangerous precedent against peace and regional security, according to the statement.
In expressing profound concern and firm rejection, the six countries stressed in the statement that the situation in Venezuela must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, and through dialogue, negotiation and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people in all its expressions, without external interference and in accordance with international law.
Only an inclusive political process, led by Venezuelans, can lead to a democratic, sustainable solution that respects human dignity, according to the statement.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the U.S. raid in Venezuela as a violation of international law, adding that the Spanish government always advocates and defends international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Addressing a meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded the unconditional and immediate release of Maduro and his wife.
Noting that Latin America and the Caribbean are a zone of peace, he expressed his firm opposition to the use of force, which is an unshakable principle.
Any aggression against Venezuela shall be regarded as an attack against all CELAC member states, and nations must collectively oppose it, he stressed.
The South African government denounced the U.S. attack on Venezuela as a violation of international law, according to a statement released on Sunday.
History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis, the statement said.
South Africa calls on the UN Security Council to urgently convene a session to address this situation, according to the statement.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said what happened in Venezuela demonstrates that international law and the UN Charter are losing their practical effectiveness.
U.S. military action against Venezuela marks a dangerous precedent, as similar actions could be taken against any other nations, he said.
In addition, the foreign ministries of Namibia, Singapore, Oman and Pakistan also issued statements on the same day, expressing grave concern over U.S. interference in Venezuela's internal affairs.
They emphasized the need to uphold international law and the principles of the UN Charter while respecting Venezuela's sovereignty.
They also called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through peaceful dialogue.
U.S. move against Venezuela sparks condemnation, concerns worldwide
