Flying in a trade war: Why some feel ‘betrayed,’ others look at moving to Canada

At the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, the tariff trade war between Canada and the U.S. is leaving flyers who travel between the two countries feeling very uneasy.

The divide between Canadians and Americans was felt throughout the check-in lanes in the U.S. departures wing at Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

As George Bell and his wife embarked their adventure to Colombia, they were faced with an undesired layover in the United States.

“It was unavoidable,” Bell said. “If there was another route that was economical and the time frame would have worked out, we would have preferred it.”

With plans to retire with his wife at their Florida property, he considered cutting those ties to south of the border since the news of tariffs first came to light.

“We had a trip planned for Florida in the spring and we cancelled it,” Bell said. “I also had a second one to Utah, mountain biking in September — cancelled it.”

The Nova Scotia local sewed a Canadian flag on his backpack, saying it was to avoid being mistaken for an American.

“I don’t want to put my money into the U.S. economy after what Trump did,” Bell said. “I just don’t feel compelled to go to the U.S. right now, maybe not for four years.”

With little optimism for the future, he believes the damage will leave a lasting mark on the relationship between the two nations.