Key Takeaways
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced a personal boycott of Florida due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, which have led to major layoffs in Ontario’s auto and steel sectors.
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis responded to Ford’s comments by pointing out that tourism in Florida is up and that the state’s NHL teams have won trophies more recently than Toronto’s.
- Data from Visit Florida shows that while the number of Canadian visitors to the state has dropped, overall tourism is still on the rise.
- The U.S. Travel Association estimates that international tourism spending in the U.S. will fall by 3.2% this year, with Canadians boycotting the U.S. being the primary driver of the loss.
Introduction to the Dispute
The recent announcement by Ontario Premier Doug Ford that he would be boycotting Florida due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs has sparked a response from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Ford, who has traditionally taken his winter vacation in Florida, stated that he would not be visiting the state this year due to the economic impact of Trump’s tariffs on Ontario’s auto and steel sectors. However, he did not encourage others to join him in the boycott, instead suggesting that people should make their own decisions about whether or not to visit the state.
DeSantis’ Response
DeSantis responded to Ford’s comments by pointing out that tourism in Florida is still on the rise, despite a drop in Canadian visitors. He cited data from Visit Florida, which showed that while the number of Canadian visitors to the state had dropped, overall tourism was still up. DeSantis also took a swipe at Ford’s hometown of Toronto, noting that the Florida Panthers had won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025, while the Toronto Maple Leafs had not won the championship since 1967. This response was seen as a way of DeSantis to defend his state’s tourism industry and to poke fun at Ford’s decision to boycott the state.
Impact of the Tariffs
The tariffs imposed by Trump have had a significant impact on Ontario’s auto and steel sectors, leading to major layoffs and economic disruption. Ford’s decision to boycott Florida is seen as a way of protesting these tariffs and of encouraging others to do the same. However, the impact of the boycott on Florida’s tourism industry is still unclear. While the number of Canadian visitors to the state has dropped, overall tourism is still on the rise, with domestic travelers accounting for 91.5% of total visitation.
Economic Consequences
The economic consequences of the tariffs and the resulting boycott are still being felt. A recent report from the U.S. Congress’s Joint Economic Committee found that the negative impacts of Trump’s tariff policies have been particularly stark in states along the U.S.-Canada border, which have many businesses that rely on short-term visits by Canadians. The report also noted that the drop in Canadian visitors was hurting businesses in the United States. Additionally, the U.S. Travel Association estimates that international tourism spending in the U.S. will fall by 3.2% this year, with Canadians boycotting the U.S. being the primary driver of the loss.
Ford’s Encouragement to Support Local Tourism
Despite his decision to boycott Florida, Ford encouraged people to stay in Canada and support local tourism. He noted that while some families may have traditionally visited Florida, they should consider staying in Canada instead. This approach is seen as a way of promoting local economic development and of encouraging people to support Canadian businesses. However, it is unclear whether this approach will be effective in reducing the economic impact of the tariffs and the resulting boycott.
Conclusion
The dispute between Ford and DeSantis highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Canada over trade and economic policy. The impact of the tariffs and the resulting boycott is still being felt, with significant economic consequences for businesses and individuals on both sides of the border. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the boycott will have a significant impact on Florida’s tourism industry and whether Ford’s approach of promoting local tourism will be effective in reducing the economic impact of the tariffs.