Donald Trump’s niece, Mary Trump, has claimed the president was caught off guard by the global and domestic backlash to his controversial trade tariffs, which she says are now hurting U.S. tourism and the wider economy.
Mary Trump, who frequently criticizes her uncle on YouTube, said his policies are discouraging visitors from traditional tourist markets such as Canada and Europe, leading to a noticeable decline in travel to popular U.S. destinations like Florida, Las Vegas, and New England.
In her latest video, titled “Trump BLINDSIDED as Canadian Boycott SPREADS,” she accused the president of failing to anticipate the damage tariffs would have on industries reliant on international visitors.
“Donald has sworn time and time again that he’ll boost American business and break down costs,” Mary said. “But Canadian tourists have stopped coming to America. Seven months into the Trump regime, tourism is lagging, the border is emptier and more hostile than ever, and tariffs are hitting the very industry where tourism matters most.”
Mary argued that higher costs caused by tariffs are pushing potential visitors to choose other destinations. Reports indicate that tariffs could cost the average American household an extra $2,400 annually, with prices for everyday goods such as food, clothing, and beverages expected to rise.
She warned that the impact will be felt not just by U.S. consumers but also by businesses that depend on foreign tourism. “Prices are up, and tourism and all the businesses that rely on tourism are down,” she said. “Even Canadian citizens who used to flock across the border for back-to-school shopping are staying away.”
Mary also relayed accounts from business owners struggling under the current economic climate. “I never thought I’d hear a restaurant owner, of all people, say that they did better business during a global pandemic than they are doing now as a direct result of Donald’s tariffs, but this is our reality.”
The criticism comes as The Financial Times reported that Trump will “substantially” raise tariffs on imports from India over its continued purchases of Russian oil. India has not reached a tariff-reduction agreement with the White House, unlike the European Union, and the move is part of the president’s stated aim to curb Russia’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine while pushing for a settlement between Moscow and Kyiv.
Mary’s remarks add to growing scrutiny over whether the president’s trade policies are achieving their intended goals — or causing unintended economic harm both at home and abroad.