A new national poll reveals that a majority of Canadians expect to be personally impacted by newly imposed U.S. tariffs and believe Canada should not stay silent in response. Conducted by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies, the survey found that six in ten Canadians foresee economic repercussions from American trade policies, while a similar number report a growing distrust in the United States — levels not seen since Donald Trump’s first term as president.
Trump’s renewed tariff push has reignited economic anxieties across the country, with many Canadians concerned that retaliatory measures from other countries, including Canada, could escalate tensions further. Despite that, a strong sentiment is emerging across provinces: Canadians want their government to respond.
Jack Jedwab, president of the Association for Canadian Studies, noted a clear sentiment of strain in the Canada-U.S. relationship. “Canadians feel there’s a serious rift in our relations with the United States,” he said, emphasizing the shift in public trust and confidence.
The survey, conducted between April 5 and 6 with 1,631 Canadians, showed that 60 per cent believe they’ll feel the impact of tariffs firsthand. Interestingly, the response varied by age and region. Older Canadians, particularly those 65 and above, were more likely to report concern, likely due to the impact of market fluctuations on pensions and savings. Regionally, Ontario and Alberta residents were among the most affected, with roughly two-thirds in each province expecting economic fallout. Quebec stood out as an anomaly, with just under half expressing the same concern — a result Jedwab described as “outlier” behavior, though the cause remains unclear.
While the desire for retaliation is widespread, Canadians are divided on how best to proceed. The most popular response, supported by 17 per cent of respondents, was the idea of matching U.S. tariffs with dollar-for-dollar countermeasures. Other options — including targeting specific sectors like energy and raw materials, or expanding trade with alternative partners — saw less support but reflected a national appetite for assertive action.
Even in Alberta, where Premier Danielle Smith has opposed energy-based sanctions, nine per cent of residents backed targeted economic measures — aligning with the national average.
Only a small fraction of respondents — five per cent — believe Canada should take no action or remain indifferent, suggesting a broad consensus that ignoring the situation isn’t an option.
Perhaps most striking, however, is the shift in public trust. Over half of Canadians surveyed said they no longer trust Americans — a sharp contrast to the 26.5 per cent who said the same during President Joe Biden’s term. Among political lines, Conservative supporters were the most likely to retain some trust, while Bloc Québécois supporters were the most skeptical. Liberal and NDP supporters overwhelmingly indicated a lack of trust in the U.S.
Back in 2020, during Trump’s first term, 66 per cent of Canadians also expressed distrust. Today’s numbers suggest a resurgence of that same sentiment. Jedwab expressed concern that the souring of relations could derail constructive trade negotiations. “That level of distrust,” he said, “is not conducive to pursuing a better deal.”
Still, Jedwab believes that dialogue is essential. “If this can’t be settled between politicians, then perhaps civil society — business leaders, educators, citizens — has a role to play in maintaining open lines with our American counterparts. The last thing we need is for this divide to deepen.”