OTTAWA, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Canadian-resident return trips from the United States continued to decline in April, Statistics Canada said Monday.

According to the national statistical agency, return trips by automobile from the United States totaled 1.2 million in April, a steep decline of 35.2 percent from the same month in 2024, marking the fourth consecutive month of year-over-year declines.

Meanwhile, return trips by air from the United States fell 19.9 percent in April 2025 compared with the same month in 2024.

In April 2025, the number of arrivals to Canada by U.S. residents by air decreased 5.5 percent from the same month in 2024, while arrivals by automobile decreased 10.7 percent, said the agency.

Canadian airlines are reducing flights between the United States and Canada as demand dampens for travel between the two countries.

The changes came as fewer Canadians travel south amid trade-related tensions, and as U.S. President Donald Trump continues using annexationist rhetoric toward Canada, which he has repeatedly said should be the 51st state of the United States.

The Canadian government is encouraging Canadian consumers to shop and travel within Canada. ■