POINT ROBERTS, Wash. — Within the northwest nook of Washington state lies a unusual U.S. exclave so depending on Canada’s goodwill that the pressure of President Donald Trump’s tariff war is inescapable — within the sole grocery retailer, at any of the three eateries, and for the various residents who by no means voted for him.
Locals and guests alike in Level Roberts, Washington, are more and more fearful about how this uncommon waterfront border city that has embodied the two countries’ interdependency can survive the hostility brewing on either side.
“This was actually devastating,” stated Tamra Hansen, a longtime Level Roberts resident and enterprise proprietor whose eyes welled with tears as she described her two eating places on the brink. “If we don’t get the assist from the Canadians, this city will die.”
Referred to as a geographic oddity because the boundary with Canada was drawn in 1846, this indifferent 5-square-mile neighborhood — referred to as an exclave as a result of it’s fully separated from mainland America — is surrounded by water on three sides. Its solely land connection is to Canada and it takes one border crossing and about 25 miles north by automobile to get to downtown Vancouver, B.C.; or two border crossings and about 25 miles by way of Canada to re-enter america alongside Boundary Bay.
The seashores, marina, golf course and climbing trails have lengthy made Level Roberts a cherished getaway vacation spot, however at this time locals say enterprise has by no means been worse. Canadian guests are staying away and a few American residents say they’ve even been harassed over their nationality.
Level Roberts Hearth Chief Christopher Carleton stated Level Roberts is one the final remaining untouched pure gems of america, however the tight-knit neighborhood with no cease lights is now underneath risk by politicians who know nothing about their lifestyle.
“We have to maintain each other and have grace for each other and never permit individuals who don’t even know we exist to disrupt the relationships we at present have,” stated Carleton, whose firefighters largely reside throughout the border.
Tensions between the U.S. and Canada have spiked to a degree not seen earlier than in trendy occasions because of Trump’s on-again, off-again risk over the previous two months to position taxes on a protracted record of products going throughout the border. In response, Canada has promised retaliatory tariffs.
For a rustic that has famously prided itself on being good, well mannered and constant allies, Canadians aren’t hiding their disgust for Trump’s polarizing rhetoric, particularly taking offense with the U.S. president’s declare that Canada may very well be the “ 51st state.”
Mark Nykolaichuk stated he refuses to go to the mainland U.S. however describes Level Roberts as a singular exception as a result of the border right here has by no means felt like an precise divide for Canadians like him who grew up visiting.
A lot of the property homeowners listed below are from Canada, and most of the 1,000 year-round residents have twin citizenship. As soon as a booming fishing city, the main trade now, in accordance with U.S. Census knowledge, is retail — primarily pushed from tourism due to the variety of trip properties. The unincorporated Whatcom County neighborhood is now largely residence to retirees, although this yr there are seven college students — nicknamed “The Borderites” — on the lone public faculty.
Nykolaichuk, who lives within the Vancouver, B.C. space, stated he hopes he may help hold the Level Roberts Worldwide Market open by buying there, on condition that administration stories enterprise is down 20% to 30%. He will depend on Level Roberts’ solely grocery retailer to have the ability to prepare dinner at his trip residence as a result of U.S. customs doesn’t allow uncooked meat to enter its borders, for instance, so he should purchase it on the town.
“No person desires to see this place shut down,” Nykolaichuk stated. “If this place goes, the place are the U.S. residents going to eat? The place are they going to get their meals from?”
Many in Level Roberts don’t blame the Canadians for his or her disdain over Trump’s perceived sovereignty risk. As an alternative, there’s a deep disappointment for either side.
“We’ve at all times gotten alongside and it’s simply nonsensical as a result of now the U.S. goes to endure too,” stated Hansen, who’s a twin citizen. “I positively really feel for the Canadian individuals right now as a result of they’ve received their backs in opposition to the wall, actually, they usually should retaliate.”
Like many locals, Larry Musselwhite, proprietor of Larry’s Liquor Locker, is indignant at Trump and blames the president for Level Roberts’ financial issues. The 75-year-old stated he can’t even take into consideration retiring proper now due to the financial system. His liquor retailer was down 40% in gross sales final month.
“That is due to our elected president, who actually doesn’t care concerning the frequent man and the struggles that we have now to undergo,” Musselwhite stated. “It tremendously impacts how I reside my life.”
About 75% of the Level Roberts precinct voted for a presidential candidate aside from Trump, which is the next proportion than throughout Whatcom County in addition to the statewide turnout, in accordance with the 2024 election outcomes.
Locals say one of the irritating issues concerning the tit-for-tat is the best way that the tariffs have abruptly started and stopped, creating an unsteady movement of adjustments to customs. The whiplash for residents who typically cross the border a number of occasions a day leaves them not sure whether or not or after they’ll be stunned with a brand new penalty.
This worry over sudden tariff charges has made individuals cautious about shopping for issues in Level Roberts — in the event that they’re coming into city in any respect.
Hugh Wilson, an actual property agent who additionally manages a number of native Airbnb listings, stated properties have seen extra cancellations than bookings currently.
“No person is certain of the principles at any someday right here,” Wilson stated. “The border brokers do the very best they will to remain updated they usually relay that to us as regular individuals crossing the border.”
With no sign of ending, there’s additionally a high-stakes worry that the dispute might escalate with Canada presumably imposing tariffs on the water and electricity that it provides to Level Roberts, and even turning off the utilities altogether.
“If it will get extra brutal, they will minimize off the water identical to that, or the ability,” stated Brian Calder, a fourth-generation resident who was beforehand the president of the Level Roberts Chamber of Commerce. “And it simply relies upon how rather more confrontation is fomented by Trump’s workplace.”
Calder stated he and different city leaders are attempting to plead for assist with the British Columbia premier and the governor of Washington state. He stated the native Whatcom County management has all however deserted this far-away neighborhood in a time of disaster.
Jed Holmes, a spokesman for the county, stated they’re speaking with Washington state’s congressional delegation in D.C. to handle the fast deterioration in U.S.-Canada relations that has particularly affected Level Roberts.
“I perceive that folk need us to do extra, nevertheless it’s actually difficult to establish what significant issues a county authorities can do to alter this dynamic on the worldwide degree,” Holmes stated in an e mail.
For Hansen, she’s asking herself how rather more can she afford to lose personally whereas operating the Saltwater Cafe breakfast spot and a restaurant referred to as The Pier. She has 15 workers to pay however enterprise was down 55% in February in contrast with final yr. There have been occasions when her pub doesn’t even internet $100 a day.
“There are some companies which are going out of enterprise proper now as we converse,” Hansen stated. “It’s very emotional for me as a result of I care about all people that lives right here.”
