Majority of Americans Oppose Tariffs on Canada as U.S.–Canada Trade Dispute Continues

A growing number of Americans are expressing opposition to tariffs on Canada as the trade dispute between the United States and its northern neighbour continues into a second year under President Donald Trump’s administration. A recent survey conducted by the Angus Reid Institute shows that more than half of Americans would prefer a tariff-free trade relationship with Canada.

According to the poll, 51 percent of respondents said they would not want any tariffs on Canadian goods at all, marking a slight increase from 48 percent recorded in October 2024, during Trump’s campaign to return to the White House. The findings suggest that despite ongoing political tensions and trade measures, many Americans continue to view Canada as an important economic partner.

Political affiliation appears to play a role in attitudes toward tariffs. Among respondents who identified as Democrats, 72 percent supported eliminating tariffs on Canada. Meanwhile, supporters aligned with the MAGA wing of the Republican Party were more open to trade barriers, though nearly 48 percent of them said they would only support a minor tariff rather than a major one.

The survey was conducted with a randomized sample of 1,529 American adults, providing a snapshot of public opinion as the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) approaches a scheduled renegotiation this year. When asked about the future of the agreement, 48 percent of Americans said the current deal should remain unchanged, while 23 percent favored negotiating separate trade agreements with Canada and Mexico instead of maintaining the trilateral framework.

Public opinion also reflects skepticism about who ultimately pays the price for tariffs. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (63 percent) believe that the costs of Trump’s tariffs are primarily borne within the United States, with 56 percent saying consumers carry the burden and seven percent pointing to American businesses.

Despite criticism from Trump, who has described Canada as “one of the worst” countries to trade with, American public sentiment toward Canada remains largely positive. Seventy-three percent of Americans surveyed said they view Canada favorably, and 52 percent described it as either the most important or a very important trading partner for the United States.

However, attitudes appear less warm on the Canadian side of the border. A significant share of Canadians now view the United States with caution. Surveys indicate that 39 percent of Canadians consider the U.S. an enemy or a potential threat, while only 22 percent regard the country as a friendly partner or ally.

Another poll conducted last year by Ipsos suggested that 60 percent of Canadians believe they may never fully trust the United States again following recent trade tensions.

Looking ahead to negotiations over a revised trade agreement, Canadians appear cautiously optimistic about their leadership. According to polling data, 42 percent believe Prime Minister Mark Carney will successfully negotiate a new trade deal with the Trump administration.

As discussions over the future of North American trade continue, the survey highlights a clear divide between political rhetoric and public opinion, with many Americans still seeing Canada as a key economic partner despite ongoing tariff disputes.