US’s $2.36tn tourism business fears ‘Trump slump’ over tariff turmoil

Warnings emerge even as effect of economic and political turbulence on the foreign visitors to the US is hard to define

Batman said business was so-so, and King Kong beat his chest in agreement. But neither could predict that it would improve. Gotham's caped crusader and his muscular ape neighbour could only hope. As with Times Square's superhero-themed visitor-photography business last week, so it is with the US tourism business at large.

The effect of economic and political turbulence on the number of foreign visitors coming to the US is for now hard to define. But both - whether through tariffs, currency exchange chaos, or fears over political ill-winds - are sending chills through the $2.36tn business, the world's most powerful travel and tourism market.