A new poll shows that Canadians now view their relationship with the United States as just as poor as their ties with Russia—a dramatic drop that suggests deep frustration with Canada’s southern neighbor. According to a Leger survey conducted for the Association for Canadian Studies, only 16 per cent of Canadians said Canada has a good relationship with the U.S., compared to 15 per cent who said the same about Russia.
Surprisingly, more Canadians believe relations with China are in better shape. Thirty-six per cent rated Canada’s ties with Beijing positively, while more than three-quarters said the country has strong relationships with Mexico, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.
Jack Jedwab, president and CEO of the Association for Canadian Studies, attributes the bleak perception of Canada-U.S. relations to the high expectations Canadians generally hold for that alliance. “To see it hit that level where we evaluate our relations with the United States as badly as we do our relationship with Russia — and assess our relations with China better — is really mind-boggling,” Jedwab said.
The survey, conducted between April 17 and 19 among 1,603 Canadians, reflects growing unease in light of escalating tensions with the U.S. under President Donald Trump. Jedwab noted that Trump’s actions have unified Canadians politically like few leaders have in the post-Confederation era, due to repeated threats to Canada’s sovereignty and economy.
One notable finding is the strength of Canadian sentiment toward Mexico. Despite recent political rhetoric distancing Canada from Mexico—particularly from Ontario Premier Doug Ford over concerns like fentanyl trafficking and migration—Canadians see Mexico as a close partner. Jedwab suggests this may stem from a shared sense of struggle with the United States, their most powerful ally.
Earlier this week, China’s ambassador to Canada, Wang Di, proposed a strategic partnership between the two countries to challenge what he called American “bullying.” He even suggested building a coalition of nations to resist Washington’s attempts to undermine global trade norms. Jedwab acknowledged the potential for a reordering of global alliances, though he cautioned that lasting reconciliation with China remains complex.
Public opinion toward China also appears nuanced. Canadians may still perceive Beijing as a threat—Liberal leader Mark Carney recently labeled it Canada’s “biggest security threat,” and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has long criticized China’s authoritarian governance—but they also seem open to mending strained ties. In provinces like Alberta and British Columbia, where trade with China is most concentrated, respondents were particularly critical of the relationship.
Jedwab emphasized that Canadians evaluate international relationships based not just on current events, but on their underlying expectations. For China, Canadians may believe improvement is possible given how strained things have been. For the U.S., where expectations are traditionally higher, the recent breakdowns under Trump’s leadership have left a deeper mark.
Despite the pessimism, Jedwab says there’s an opportunity ahead. “Whoever is elected prime minister next week will face a country that wants a better relationship with the United States,” he said. “We’re going to have to channel this into something constructive.”