A new Angus Reid poll finds nearly half of Canadians now view Americans unfavourably, a dramatic shift driven by trade disputes and Trump's policies
Nearly half of Canadians now view Americans unfavourably in a dramatic reversal from just a few years ago, as simmering trade disputes and the threat of new US tariffs continue to poison one of the world's longest-standing bilateral relationships.
According to a new survey by the Angus Reid Institute of 2,199 Canadian adults, 48 per cent hold an unfavourable view of Americans, compared with only 45 per cent who view them favourably. The shift is striking given that as recently as 2023, the overwhelming majority of Canadians approached the Canada-US relationship from a position of goodwill.
While 79 per cent of Americans say they hold a favourable view of Canadians (with 39 per cent describing that view as "very favourable") only 13 per cent of Canadians return that warmth at the same intensity. Meanwhile, 79 per cent of Canadians view US President Donald Trump unfavourably, with 69 per cent describing their view as "very" unfavourable.
Perhaps most telling is the shift in how Canadians believe Ottawa should engage with Washington.
In February 2023, 73 per cent of Canadians favoured a friendly or partnership-based approach to the United States, but today 42 per cent of Canadians say the government should treat the US as a threat or even as an enemy. Only 23 per cent still favour a friendly or valued-partner framing.
Americans, for their part, remain largely warm. Seventy-eight per cent say Canada should be approached as a friendly nation or valued partner, a figure that stands in sharp contrast to the Canadian mood.
Tariff awareness and the August deadline
The survey also highlights a significant information gap between the two countries. Fifty-four per cent of Canadians say they are following the Canada-US tariff dispute closely, compared with only 23 per cent of Americans. A quarter of Americans say they are unaware of the tariffs at all.
With the August 19 tariff deadline closing in, 42 per cent of Canadians believe President Trump will follow through on his threat, while 33 per cent think it is a bluff. Americans are similarly divided: 37 per cent believe the tariffs will proceed, and 33 per cent think they will not.
The deterioration in Canada-US relations is unfolding at a sensitive moment for Canadian investors. The loonie's performance, the fate of supply chains, and the health of Canadian exporters are all tied, in varying degrees, to the bilateral relationship.
A prolonged period of friction, whether or not the August tariffs proceed, creates an environment of sustained uncertainty that can weigh on business investment and consumer confidence.
