Canadians have lengthy flocked to the South Carolina seaside the town. This yr, many are indignant by way of the president and perilous to stick away. WHY WE’RE HEREWe’re exploring how The usa defines itself one position at a time. At one well-liked South Carolina seaside the town, locals are hoping that Southern attraction can offset arduous emotions amongst Canadian vacationers. By means of Richard FaussetPhotographs by way of Travis DoveReporting from Myrtle Seaside, S.C.March 15, 2025The Southerners on the Myrtle Seaside Welcome Heart had brewed Tim Hortons espresso for his or her northern visitors. They had been giving for free cookies decorated with maple leaves, and lapel pins that includes the twinned flags of Canada and South Carolina. It used to be Monday morning on the kickoff birthday celebration for Can-Am Days, the yearly ritual that honors the Canadians who’ve lengthy reinforced town’s vacationer financial system within the wintry weather months. For greater than 60 years, it were probably the most easygoing of global summits: The native Lions Membership would welcome Lions from Canada. There have been lawn excursions and golfing tournaments. In pre-internet days, the native paper would print the Canadian information.Now it had gotten difficult and bizarre, a results of the industry struggle being waged in opposition to Canada by way of a capricious American president whose symbol is everywhere the Myrtle Seaside T-shirt retail outlets, his well-known fist pump as well-liked as sea gulls and sunsets. Together with brandishing ever-changing tariff insurance policies — threatening, implementing, rescinding them — President Trump has time and again asserted that he desires to make Canada the 51st state, leaving many Canadians astonished and livid. Some have canceled plans to seek advice from conservative Myrtle Seaside, a part of a broader grass-roots shuttle boycott this is threatening to position a dent within the $20.5 billion that Canadian guests spend in the US each and every yr.
