Caught in the middle, this US oddity at the border is grappling with Trump's trade war with Canada

POINT ROBERTS, Wash. (AP) — In the northwest corner of Washington state lies a quirky U.S. exclave so dependent on Canada’s goodwill that the strain of President Donald Trump’s tariff war is inescapable — in the sole grocery store, at any of the three eateries, and for the many residents who never voted for him.

Locals and visitors alike in Point Roberts, Washington, are increasingly worried about how this unusual waterfront border town that has embodied the two countries’ interdependency can survive the hostility brewing on both sides.

“This was really devastating,” said Tamra Hansen, a longtime Point Roberts resident and business owner whose eyes welled with tears as she described her two restaurants on the brink. “If we don’t get the support from the Canadians, this town will die.”

Known as a geographic oddity since the boundary with Canada was drawn in 1846, this detached 5-square-mile community — called an exclave because it’s completely separated from mainland America — is surrounded by water on three sides. Its only land connection is to Canada and it takes one border crossing and about 25 miles north by car to get to downtown Vancouver, B.C.; or two border crossings and about 25 miles through Canada to re-enter the United States along Boundary Bay.

The beaches, marina, golf course and hiking trails have long made Point Roberts a cherished getaway destination, but today locals say business has never been worse. Canadian visitors are staying away and some American residents say they’ve even been harassed over their nationality.

Point Roberts Fire Chief Christopher Carleton said Point Roberts is one the last remaining untouched natural gems of the United States, but the tight-knit community with no stop lights is now under threat by politicians who know nothing about their way of life.

“We need to take care of one another and have grace for one another and not allow people who don’t even know we exist to disrupt the relationships we currently have,” said Carleton, whose firefighters mostly live across the border.

Tensions between the U.S. and Canada have spiked to a level not seen before in modern times thanks to Trump’s on-again, off-again threat over the past two months to place taxes on a long list of goods going across the border. In response, Canada has promised retaliatory tariffs.

For a population that has famously prided itself on being nice, polite and loyal allies, Canadians aren’t hiding their disgust for Trump’s polarizing rhetoric, especially taking offense with the U.S. president’s claim that Canada could be the “ 51st state.”

Mark Nykolaichuk said he refuses to go to the mainland U.S. but describes Point Roberts as a unique exception because the border here has never felt like an actual divide for Canadians like him who grew up visiting.

Most of the property owners here are from Canada, and many of the 1,000 year-round residents have dual citizenship. Once a booming fishing town, the leading industry now, according to U.S. Census data, is retail — primarily driven from tourism because of the number of vacation properties. The unincorporated Whatcom County community is now mostly home to retirees, though this year there are seven students — nicknamed “The Borderites" — at the lone public school.

Nykolaichuk, who lives in the Vancouver, B.C. area, said he hopes he can help keep the Point Roberts International Marketplace open by shopping there, given that management reports business is down 20% to 30%. He depends on Point Roberts’ only grocery store to be able to cook at his vacation home because U.S. customs doesn’t permit raw meat to enter its borders, for example, so he must buy it in town.

“Nobody wants to see this place shut down,” Nykolaichuk said. “If this place goes, where are the U.S. citizens going to eat? Where are they going to get their food from?”

Many in Point Roberts don’t blame the Canadians for their disdain over Trump’s perceived sovereignty threat. Instead, there’s a deep sadness for both sides.

“We’ve always gotten along and it’s just nonsensical because now the U.S. is going to suffer too,” said Hansen, who is a dual citizen. “I definitely feel for the Canadian people at this time because they’ve got their backs against the wall, really, and they have to retaliate.”

Like many locals, Larry Musselwhite, owner of Larry’s Liquor Locker, is angry at Trump and blames the president for Point Roberts’ economic problems. The 75-year-old said he can’t even think about retiring right now because of the economy. His liquor store was down 40% in sales last month.

“This is because of our elected president, who really doesn’t care about the common man and the struggles that we have to go through,” Musselwhite said. “It greatly affects how I live my life.”

About 75% of the Point Roberts precinct voted for a presidential candidate other than Trump, which is a higher percentage than across Whatcom County as well as the statewide turnout, according to the 2024 election results.

Locals say one of the most frustrating things about the tit-for-tat is the way that the tariffs have abruptly started and stopped, creating an unsteady flow of changes to customs. The whiplash for residents who often cross the border multiple times a day leaves them unsure whether or when they’ll be surprised with a new penalty.

This fear over unexpected tariff fees has made people cautious about buying things in Point Roberts — if they’re coming into town at all.

Hugh Wilson, a real estate agent who also manages several local Airbnb listings, said properties have seen more cancellations than bookings lately.

“Nobody is sure of the rules at any one day here,” Wilson said. “The border agents do the best they can to stay up to date and they relay that to us as normal people crossing the border.”

With no end in sight, there’s also a high-stakes fear that the dispute could escalate with Canada possibly imposing tariffs on the water and electricity that it supplies to Point Roberts, or even turning off the utilities altogether.

“If it gets more brutal, they can cut off the water just like that, or the power,” said Brian Calder, a fourth-generation resident who was previously the president of the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce. “And it just depends how much more confrontation is fomented by Trump’s office.”

Calder said he and other town leaders are trying to plead for help with the British Columbia premier and the governor of Washington state. He said the local Whatcom County leadership has all but abandoned this far-away community in a time of crisis.

Jed Holmes, a spokesman for the county, said they are communicating with Washington state's congressional delegation in D.C. to address the rapid deterioration in U.S.-Canada relations that has especially affected Point Roberts.

“I understand that folks want us to do more, but it’s really challenging to identify what meaningful things a county government can do to change this dynamic at the international level,” Holmes said in an email.

For Hansen, she’s asking herself how much more can she afford to lose personally while running the Saltwater Cafe breakfast spot and a restaurant called The Pier. She has 15 employees to pay but business was down 55% in February compared with last year. There have been times when her pub doesn’t even net $100 a day.

“There are some businesses that are going out of business right now as we speak,” Hansen said. “It’s very emotional for me because I care about everybody that lives here.”

People walk on the Canadian side of Maple Beach during low tide, with the international boundary line marked by a cement tower at left, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, as seen from Point Roberts, Wash., with Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada in the background. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A sea lion rests on a dock at the town's marina Monday, March 17, 2025, in Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A bicyclist approaches the Nexus lane at the border crossing checkpoint into Delta, British Columbia, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Brian Calder, a fourth-generation resident and dual citizen, poses for a portrait at a historic international boundary marker between the United Sates and Canada, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Community members gather after a morning walking group at the Point Roberts Community Center, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A shopper at the Point Roberts International Marketplace inspects a bag of oranges Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Owner Beth Calder sorts packages at Point to Point Parcel, her shipping and receiving business that mostly caters to Canadians and has seen a significant downturn this year, Monday, March 17, 2025, in Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A cash register at the Point Roberts International Marketplace has two trays for both Canadian and U.S. currencies, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Brian Calder, a fourth-generation resident and former chamber of commerce president, talks with Rich Swanson, center, and Mark Nykolaichuk, right, at the Point Roberts International Marketplace, Monday, March 17, 2025, in Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Tamra Hansen, a dual citizen of Canada and the United States, poses for a portrait at her restaurant, The Pier, which is down over fifty percent in sales compared to last year, Monday, March 17, 2025, in Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Larry Musselwhite, owner of Larry's Liquor Locker, answers a call from a Canadian citizen asking if they can still buy alcohol from his store and bring it back to Canada, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A Trump 2024 flag flies Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A customized LED sign on the back of Ray Scott Capani's car scrolls with the message "Trump is a buffoon," along with messages of support for Canada, Monday, March 17, 2025, in Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

The international boundary line between Canada, at left, and the United States, at right, is marked by towers in the waters of Boundary Bay reaching to the Peace Arch border crossing and by clear cut trees in the North Cascade mountains, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, as seen from Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A driver passes by a small Statue of Liberty replica outside a home Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A pair of bald eagles rest in a tree Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A sign and boundary marker behind a house in Delta, British Columbia, denote the international boundary line between the United States and Canada, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, as seen from Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Houses in the Tsawwassen area of Delta, British Columbia, are seen from Maple Beach in Point Roberts, Wash., with a concrete tower to mark the border on the waters of Boundary Bay, Monday, March 17, 2025, in Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Real estate agent Hugh Wilson, who says Airbnb listings he manages have faced a higher cancellation rate than usual, stands for a portrait at an Airbnb overlooking Boundary Bay and British Columbia in the distance on Maple Beach, Monday, March 17, 2025, in Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Towers in the water denote the international boundary line between Canada, at left, and the United States, at right, as a car approaches the border checkpoint heading into Canada, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Tamra Hansen, a dual citizen of Canada and the United States who runs two of the three restaurants in town, poses for a portrait outside The Pier, Monday, March 17, 2025, in Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A worker at The Pier, one of three restaurants in town, readjusts Canadian and American flags hanging outside the business, Monday, March 17, 2025, in Point Roberts, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Russell Wilson has bounced around the NFL the past few years, a one-time Super Bowl winner suddenly without a consistent home while facing doubts and critics about his play.

The 36-year-old quarterback is now officially at his latest stop after signing his one-year contract with the New York Giants on Wednesday, a day after agreeing to terms on the deal with what is his third team in as many years and fourth in five years.

But with the Giants, Wilson has his sights set on one thing.

“I expect to be the starter and to be able to come here and rock and roll every day,” Wilson said during a Zoom call Wednesday. “I think this team’s really looking for somebody to lead them in every way — in terms of the process, in the offseason, during the season, our habits and our thought process and how we create a great winning culture.

"How do we continue to establish that and to really build on things that we do well and the things that we continue to need to do?”

A person with knowledge of the contract told The Associated Press it's worth up to $21 million with $10.5 million guaranteed. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team didn't announce financial terms.

Wilson joins a quarterback room that includes veteran Jameis Winston, who signed a two-year contract last week, and Tommy DeVito, an exclusive rights free agent who was re-signed on March 8. New York also has the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL draft next month and could still target a quarterback.

“The great part about professional sports is constant change, constant movement,” Wilson said. "If we draft a quarterback, we’ll make sure he does everything he can to be ready to go and be prepared with his mentality.

“But for me, I’m focused on winning — what I can do as a quarterback of the New York Giants to help us win and do everything we can to lead?”

Wilson, a 10-time Pro Bowl selection, helped Pittsburgh make the playoffs last season and threw for 2,482 yards with 16 touchdown passes and five interceptions and a 96.5 passer rating. But the Steelers lost five in a row at the end of the season after starting 6-1 with him.

The Steelers allowed Wilson to become a free agent, as they did with Justin Fields — who signed with the Jets. While there was a chance Wilson could be back in Pittsburgh, the Steelers also met last week with Aaron Rodgers — who remains a possibility to sign there if he wants to play a 21st NFL season.

Meanwhile, Wilson met with the Giants and felt the fit was right.

“First of all, Aaron Rodgers is a tremendous football player,” Wilson said. "He’s done some amazing things in this league. I’ve been fortunate that I’ve been able to do some great things, too. What I’m focused on right now is what we can do here. That’s been my focus since I signed.

“Also, too, along the way is finding a place that will continue to believe in you.”

Wilson called Pittsburgh “a special, special place” for him, and praised his former Steelers teammates, including T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward.

“But coming here and being in New York is an exciting place to play,” Wilson said. "It’s a place that wants to win and knows how to win is and has won before. For me, it’s bringing everything I know, all the experiences and touchdowns, all the wins, and also all the love and passion for the game to the locker room. That’s what I’m really excited for.

“It’s going to be a special, special thing and we've got to go work for it every day and go do it.”

Wilson spent part of his night across the Hudson River at Madison Square Garden, where he watched the New York Knicks lose to the Los Angeles Clippers. Wilson, seated next to actor Matthew Modine, was shown on the video board to cheers, signed a football and then tossed it into the stands to fans.

Wilson played two disappointing seasons in Denver following 10 years in Seattle, which he helped win a Super Bowl in February 2014 at MetLife Stadium — Wilson's new home stadium.

“I have some amazing memories here,” he said. “Some of my most fond memories of this game that I poured my heart and soul into every day happened right here in this stadium right across the street in MetLife Stadium. I’m excited to create some more memories with some amazing teammates for this amazing fan base.”

Wilson mentioned at least a dozen of his new Giants teammates during his 20-minute chat with reporters. Among those players was young wide receiver Malik Nabers, who spoke to Wilson before the quarterback signed.

“This guy, when he touches the ball, he may score every single time,” Wilson said, adding that Nabers is a “freak of an athlete.”

He also praised embattled coach Brian Daboll, saying “he’s been around greatness and knows what it looks like and sounds like," while pointing out his five Super Bowl rings as an assistant.

“What I really like about Dabs is just his mentality, his attack mentality,” Wilson said. "We haven’t been able to talk a whole bunch of ball yet, but I’ve been able to see a bunch over the years and understand who he is.

“I think that’s the exciting part about what we can do and all the guys we have around us.”

AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) calls out at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)