Why are Canadians staying away from the US? 🇨🇦🇺🇸

'Over Here, Over There' co-host Claudia Koestler (‪@OverHereOverThere)‬ traveled to Port Angeles, Washington State, where you can see Canada across the water on a clear day. Victoria, British Columbia, is less than 30 kilometers away. For years, Canadians took the ferry over for events, shopping, and weekend trips. Many families have relatives on both sides, and even the ferry is owned jointly by Canadians and Americans. Since 2025, that has changed.

In this episode, Claudia talks with Marc Abshire, executive director of the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce, at the local visitor center. He tells us honestly why fewer Canadians are crossing the border and what that means for a small American town that has always felt like Victoria's neighbor.

In this interview:

Why the "51st state" comments hurt the Canada–US relationship

How tariffs and the trade war are driving up costs for local businesses, and why constant uncertainty is even harder to deal with

Why Marc thinks Congress, not the White House, should decide on tariffs

His plan to market "Port Angeles as the southern suburb of Victoria," and why it's on hold for now

Is Canada turning away from the US, or just protecting its own interests?

Should Canada join the European Union?

Which European visitors still come to Olympic National Park, and why do fewer Germans come this year

His message to Canadians: "We welcome Canadians. We love Canadians."

What do you think? If you're Canadian, have you changed your travel plans to the US? Let us know in the comments. If you enjoy firsthand reporting from places where world politics affects everyday life, subscribe and turn on notifications.

OHOT website: www.overhereoverthere.org

What is life in Washington, DC like under Donald Trump? Artist and resident Carrie Adams shares her perspective on federal job losses, fear in the community, and the small acts that keep people connected.

Recorded in Washington, D.C., this Over Here, Over There interview goes beyond the political headlines to explore what changes in the US capital mean for people who call it home. Carrie has lived in the city on and off since 2004 and has also lived in several other countries. She discusses the impact of USAID funding cuts, uncertainty for families, Washington’s struggle over local self-government, and the role of protest and community support.

But this is also a conversation about what gets lost when America is seen only through its most prominent political voices. What could Europe learn from American diversity and community spirit? And what could the United States learn from European education, healthcare, and social safety nets? In this episode: Life in Washington, DC under the Trump administration; federal jobs, USAID funding, and the local economy; DC home rule and political representation; immigration fears, protests, and community solidarity; American identity beyond the headlines; what Europe and America could learn from each other. Carrie speaks from her own experience and political perspective; she does not speak for all Washington residents or all Americans.

Please check out our OHOT website for this and other episodes, and on our social media channels.

Days before the 2026 midterms, Claudia, co-host of ‪@OverHereOverThere‬ podcast, walked through Washington DC. National Guard troops on the streets, fences, and a lone protester on the Lincoln Memorial steps. Is this what normal looks like there?

In this episode of Over Here, Over There, Claudia shares what she saw in the capital: the security fences around Lafayette Park, the White House, and the Ellipse, the enormous concrete wall of the new ballroom, and the subtle signs of dissent, from "Stop him" stickers to "Free DC" messages. Claudia also talks with a protester on the Lincoln Memorial steps about why he comes back every day, whether it works, and what he thinks is driving the anger behind this election.

Questions for you: What are you seeing in your city? Tell us in the comments what you want to hear more of next.

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www.overhereoverthere.org