The coastal community in South Carolina has long been popular among Canadians. The president has insulted a lot of people this year, and many have threatened to avoid him.
For their northern visitors, the Southerners at the Myrtle Beach Welcome Center had made Tim Hortons coffee. They were distributing lapel pins with the twinned flags of South Carolina and Canada, as well as cookies decorated with maple leaves.
It was Monday morning at the Can-Am Days launch celebration, an annual event that recognizes the Canadians who have long supported the city's winter tourism industry. It had been the most relaxed of foreign summits for almost 60 years: Lions from Canada would be welcomed by the local Lions Club. Golf competitions and garden tours were held. Before the internet, the Canadian news was published in the local paper.
As a result of the trade war being fought against Canada by an unpredictable American president whose image is plastered on Myrtle Beach T-shirts and whose iconic fist pump is as well-known as sunsets and seagulls, things had become confusing and strange.
In addition to threatening, enforcing, and rescinding his constantly shifting tariff policies, President Trump has frequently declared his intention to make Canada the 51st state, which has left many Canadians shocked and incensed. As part of a larger grassroots travel boycott, some people have canceled their plans to visit conservative Myrtle Beach, which might hurt the $20.5 billion Canadian tourists spend annually in the US.
One person who has taken a stand is Amy Gleiser, who works at an academic teaching hospital in Ontario. When contacted by phone on Wednesday, 47-year-old Ms. Gleiser stated that she and her family were going to the Yucatan Peninsula instead of Myrtle Beach, where they would have lost the unit deposit. It is all due to Mr. Trump.
She described his behavior in Canada as "bullying." "That's our sentiment."
Myrtle Beach, a less stuffy alternative to Hilton Head Island, is down the coast, and no one there is entirely sure what the animosity means for their community. With its go-kart tracks, mini golf, and beachwear superstores, Myrtle is the type of relaxed beach town that the restaurant chain Hooters' humorous tagline, "Delightfully Tacky, Yet Unrefined," might easily be featured on the municipal seal. Additionally, it takes pride in providing the middle and working classes in the American South with reasonably priced vacations.
The warmth and relatively cheap prices of Myrtle Beach have also captivated Canadians. Another important factor is that, when going by minivan, it is much closer than Florida.
It's too early to know if many Canadians stayed at home for this year's Can-Am Days, which take place from March 8 to March 16, according to Tracy Conner, interim president of the local chamber of business. There were still several Ontario and Quebec license plates in restaurant parking lots, according to tourism officials.
Several dozen Canadians, primarily pensioners, had visited the visitors center for the kickoff party on Monday morning. In a brief speech, Mayor Brenda Bethune attempted to draw a line between Myrtle Beach and the White House, which is difficult considering Mr. Trump's overwhelming victory in Horry County, which contains the city, in November.
It turns out that Ms. Bethune, who backed Nikki Haley in the Republican primary last year, stated, "I know there is a lot of tension right now, and we can't help that, on those levels." "We must accept the situation as it is. And we're going to say "Welcome" in a gracious manner, smiling, and with Southern hospitality.
A James Taylor anthem about friendship was played after a local musician, of the gentle kind seen on the patios of seafood restaurants along the shore, performed a cover of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." In protest, the Burlington Teen Tour Band of Ontario canceled their planned march from the welcome center to the beach.
Snowbirds mixed together. And they let it all out through the façade of civility for which they are known.
Retired pharmacy employee Patricia Cape, 80, of Hamilton, Ontario, said her kids had been urging her and her husband Gary to shorten their vacation for patriotic reasons. She was thinking about it. She declared, "President Trump has greatly disappointed me." Why would he wish to cause Canada to become hostile? I adore the US.
Mississauga, Ontario residents Arthur and Kathy Jadischke had already altered their plans and were leaving early for home. The 82-year-old Mr. Jadischke stated that he was unsure if he would go back to Myrtle Beach. He likened Mr. Trump to Vladimir Putin and Adolf Hitler. "I can't see myself coming if this stuff keeps happening," he remarked. "Because I would feel embarrassed."
"A few decades ago, when the influx of Canadians between January and April gave a boost to local businesses before the big crush of American visitors between Memorial Day and Labor Day," said Wayne Gray, a former city councilman and native of Myrtle Beach, "Can-Am Days were more crucial for the local economy."
Mr. Gray claimed that because of Horry County's rapidly growing population and its status as a destination for events such as youth travel sports tournaments and vacations, Canadians' economic contributions had become less significant in recent years.
According to Mr. Gray, "I think we're all very appreciative of the Canadian visitors who come here." "However, the influence of Canadian American Days has diminished over time."
According to the Visitors Bureau, foreign visitors—the majority of whom were Canadian—accounted for roughly 2% of the $1.9 billion spent by tourists in 2023, the most recent year for which statistics were available.
According to other entrepreneurs, they have not yet noticed a decline in business this year. Some claim to have seen Canadians going missing. Horry County Democratic Party chairperson Judith Davies said several local rental property owners had contacted her, concerned that Canadians might cancel their vacation rentals.
Many Canadians visit Myrtle Beach repeatedly, staying for weeks or months at a time. The Trump administration's move this week to implement a statute requiring Canadians who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer to register with the authorities further outraged others.
All of the insults, however, appeared to originate at the top. There was no hostility from pro-Trump residents, according to Canadians. They had been treated with the same laid-back friendliness for years.
Nevertheless, 74-year-old Rick McCall, a retired Simcoe, Ontario, auto dealer, claimed he no longer felt at home in the US. Despite identifying as a Republican, Mr. McCall stated that he views Mr. Trump as "unstable" and a "madman."
Mr. McCall stated that he has owned a vacation home in North Myrtle Beach for the last five years. He stated that he was really considering selling it because of Mr. Trump's verbal spat.
It's simply not a welcome thing, I must say. "I believe it has significantly altered the dynamics," he stated. It strikes me as tragic. I genuinely do.
David Sandifer was listening to classic rock on Tuesday while selling items like a “White Privilege Card,” which was loosely based on an American Express card, behind the counter of a kite store that had been partially converted into a Trump-themed emporium. Additionally, a phony dollar bill with what was billed as “Hillbilly Veep” JD Vance holding an assault gun was present.
Mr. Sandifer, 75, a former electrical contractor, stated that if Mr. Trump continued to put pressure on the country, he could see a large number of Canadians avoiding the United States. He didn't appear to mind, though. He claimed that God was using Mr. Trump.
He recommended that the Canadians take a cue from the various beach-themed T-shirts and relax.
He remarked, "You can't allow things like that to interfere with your life." "You still need to enjoy yourself."
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