Border Town Suffers Amid Canada-U.S. Trade Tensions

Located just south of Tsawwassen, Point Roberts is a small Washington state community that is geographically a part of Canada. This unique situation has led to significant challenges for its approximately 1,100 residents. The town heavily depends on British Columbia, Canada, for most of its business and commerce.

Brian Calder, a resident of Point Roberts and former president of the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of Canadian connections, stating, "Half of us here are dual citizens, including me — Canadian and American, half of us." He pointed out that the town has about 500 residents who maintain strong ties with Canada. Calder expressed understanding of why Canadians are upset amidst the ongoing trade war, saying, "They’re angry that their sovereignty is being threatened for no good reason whatsoever." He noted that this animosity is harmful to Point Roberts, causing Canadians to avoid the area.

Canadians make up a staggering 90 percent of the local market in Point Roberts. To express their support for Canada and encourage cross-border visits, the community even created bumper stickers proclaiming "Point Roberts supports Canada." Calder lamented the devastating impact on local businesses, particularly after suffering losses during the COVID-19 lockdowns that forced many enterprises to shut down. "We lost half our businesses during the 20-month lockdown, and those that remain are barely hanging on," he said.

Reliance on Canadian Resources

Point Roberts' economy is intricately linked to cross-border trade with Canada. "All our building materials come from Greater Vancouver, Surrey, Langley, Richmond. Our roofing, concrete, and other essential supplies come from British Columbia," Calder explained. With tariffs now affecting trade, he fears the community may struggle to source these materials from nearby cities like Bellingham.

Residents in Point Roberts often regard British Columbians and Canadians as family rather than mere neighbors. Calder expressed frustration over the situation, remarking, "We didn’t do anything wrong. They didn’t do anything wrong. Why are we in this mess? It’s absolutely stupid and it’s not productive or necessary." He also highlighted rising tensions along the border, with instances of hostility reported when residents cross into Canada. "We’ve had people confronted in traffic and at local stores with hostility. We don’t have a drug store, yet some people are treated poorly when they go shopping in Tsawwassen," he remarked.

Concerns over Business Viability

As the trade situation continues to evolve, it remains unclear if British Columbia will impose further taxes on trucks crossing the border. Calder noted, "Our businesses are on the ropes now. If they get involved in the energy sector, we could lose access to electricity and water from BC Hydro. Without that, we can’t survive." Point Roberts has no drug store, veterinary clinic, or other essential services, making residents dependent on resources from Canada.

Local businesses are feeling the pressure. Dave Duncan, manager of the Point Roberts International Marketplace, noted that uncertainty surrounds what items will incur tariffs upon return to the U.S. Since the trade war began, he mentioned that around 60 percent of their clientele comprises Canadians, and many have started selling their properties. "Visitor numbers are down about 20 percent compared to last year," he revealed, explaining the significant drop in daily customers.

Tamra Hansen, who owns local cafes, expressed her concerns as well, stating, "We’ve changed the name of our Americanos to Canadianos in solidarity." Business at her establishments has declined by roughly 55 percent. "We’re caught in the middle here, and if things don’t change, I fear Point Roberts will become another abandoned town as Canadians leave," she warned.

Trade, Economy, Community