BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The threat of a looming trade war with Canada could have significant ripple effects across Whatcom County.

A Leger poll taken this week reveals that 81% of Canadians are planning to buy more Canadian-made products and 56% say they will avoid traveling to the U.S.

It follows President Trump’s announcement that he plans to institute a 25% tax on all goods imported from Canada next month.

Jennifer Bettis with WWU’s Border Policy Research Institute says workers in Whatcom County’s service industry could suffer from a drop in Canadian visitors.

“If there are less people coming across the border, it could have an impact on some of these jobs that are more people-focused or service economy-focused because there’s simply going to be less money to be spent in this area,” Bettis said.

Bettis also expects gas and lumber prices to increase if the tariffs are enacted, especially if Canada follows through with its promise to retaliate with tariffs of its own.

Even beyond prices, Bettis says the potential trade war could cause long-term damage to the relationship between both countries.

“There’s a really significant sense of hurt feelings and betrayal in their [Canadians’] minds,” Bettis said. “The United States and Canada have a very strong friendship and relationship, and the damage that’s being caused by this situation is something that I think will take quite a long time for us to recover from.”

Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canada are expected to go into effect on March 5, barring any changes.