Tensions are on the rise in a gorgeous Pacific Northwest coastal enclave where locals have to drive through Canada to reach the US.
Residents in Port Roberts, Washington have been caught in the crossfire of the ongoing trade wars between the two countries ever since President Donald Trump threatened to implement hefty tariffs on a long list of goods imported from Canada.
Locals who live in the small exclave, or part of a state that is geographically separated from the mainland by another territory, are feeling the direct effects of the tariff mayhem – specifically at their three restaurants and singular grocery store.
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.
Residents in Port Roberts, Washington (pictured) have been caught in the crossfire of the ongoing trade wars between the two countries ever since President Donald Trump threatened to implement hefty tariffs on a long list of goods imported from Canada
‘This was really devastating,’ Tamra Hansen (pictured), a longtime resident and business owner in the exclave, said. ‘If we don’t get the support from the Canadians, this town will die’
The unique five-square-mile community in Whatcom County is surrounded by water on three sides and has only one land connection to Canada. (Pictured: The Point Roberts border checkpoint)
‘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.’
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Point Roberts Fire Chief Christopher Carleton echoed Hansen’s concerns, especially since many of his firefighters live across the border.
‘We need to take care of one another and have grace for one another and not allow people who don’t even know we exist to disrupt the relationships we currently have,’ Carleton said.
Meanwhile, Mark Nykolaichuk, who lives in the Vancouver, B.C. area, said he hopes he can help keep the community alive.
Nykolaichuk refuses to travel to the mainland US, but has made a special exception for Port Roberts because of its close ties to Canada.
He specifically frequents the sole grocery store on the exclave – the Point Roberts International Marketplace – to buy food for him to cook at his vacation home.
Because of US customs restrictions, raw meat is not permitted at the border, so Nykolaichuk has to purchase it in town.
‘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?’
More than 70 percent of properties are owned by Canadians, 50 percent of which are dual citizens, Wayne Lyle (pictured), the President of Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce, said
Management at the market recently reported that business is down 20 to 30 percent.
Similarly, a liquor store in the town, Larry’s Liquor Locker, has seen its sales tank by 40 percent in the last month.
The owner, Larry Musselwhite, 75, has been faced with a harsh reality that he blames on 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.
Management at Point Roberts International Market (pictured) – the only grocery store in town – recently reported that business is down 20-30 percent
A cash register at the Point Roberts International Marketplace has two trays for both Canadian and U.S. currencies
Other than imported goods, Port Roberts residents, like Brian Calder (pictured), are also fearful that Canada might impose tariffs on necessary utilities if tensions escalate
‘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 runs a breakfast spot, Saltwater Cafe, and another restaurant called The Pier.
Hansen has 15 employees that she pays, but as of February, business has been down 55 percent, compared to last year. There have even been days when her businesses didn’t even make $100.
‘There are some businesses that are going out of business right now as we speak,’ she said.
‘It’s very emotional for me because I care about everybody that lives here.’
In response to Trump’s on again, off again tariff threats, Canada has promised retaliatory tariffs on the US.
Locals have also become increasingly frustrated with Trump starting and stopping the tariffs, leaving many with inconsistencies, especially in their businesses.
Hugh Wilson, a local real estate agent who manages multiple Airbnb locations in the community, said he’s been receiving a lot of cancellations lately.
Larry Musselwhite (pictured), 75, the owner of Larry’s Liquor Locker, has seen its sales tank by 40 percent in the last month
Hansen runs a breakfast spot, Saltwater Cafe, and another restaurant called The Pier (pictured). Hansen has 15 employees that she pays, but as of February, business has been down 55 percent, compared to last year
A bicyclist approaches the Nexus lane at the border crossing checkpoint into Delta, British Columbia in Point Roberts
‘Nobody is sure of the rules at any one day here. The border agents do the best they can to stay up to date and they relay that to us as normal people crossing the border,’ Wilson said.
Other than imported goods, Port Roberts residents are also fearful that Canada might impose tariffs on necessary utilities if tensions escalate.
‘If it gets more brutal, they can cut off the water just like that, or the power,’ Brian Calder, the former president of the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce, said.
‘And it just depends how much more confrontation is fomented by Trump’s office.’
Calder is also in support of how Canadians are dealing with the massive shakeup and threats, calling Trump’s strategy ‘absolutely stupid and inhumane.’
‘And then on top of that, you threatened the integrity of Canada as a nation,’ Calder said of the president.
‘There’s no question that Canada will retaliate … they’ve got every right to.’
Lyle said the lack of Canadian visitors has not only impacted business across the exclave, but has created a ‘scary’ atmosphere.
‘The current political situation is darn right scary for our businesses there. Ninety per cent of our business is Canadian,’ Lyle explained.
Around 75 percent of Port Roberts residents voted for a presidential candidate other than Trump, according to 2024 election results. (Aerial view of Port Roberts)
He compared the situation to children going through the divorce of their parents, telling the 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 residents are currently trying to find a solution to the issue by reaching out to the British Columbia premier, as well as the governor of Washington.
Jed Holmes, a spokesman for Whatcom County, told AP they are talking with Washington state’s congressional delegation in D.C. to specifically address the growing issues in Point Roberts amidst the deteriorating US-Canada relationship.
‘I understand that folks want us to do more, but it’s really challenging to identify what meaningful things a county government can do to change this dynamic at the international level,’ Holmes said.