Survey shows increasing support for retaliatory tariffs, higher defense spending
A new Nanos Research poll reveals that Canadians see Mark Carney as the best choice to negotiate with U.S. President Donald Trump, ahead of Pierre Poilievre, Chrystia Freeland, and Karina Gould.
Key Survey Findings:
- 40% of respondents chose Carney as the strongest negotiator.
- Poilievre followed with 26%, while Freeland received 13% and Gould just 1%.
- 12% were unsure, and 9% believed it wouldn’t make a difference.
- The survey also highlights a shift in public opinion on how Canada should respond to Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canadian imports (excluding a 10% tariff on energy).
- 58% of Canadians now favor immediate retaliation with tariffs on U.S. goods—up from 29% in December.
- Support for negotiating a tariff rollback has dropped from 47% to 21%.
- 78% support removing U.S. wine, beer, and liquor from Canadian stores.
- 51% support cutting oil, gas, and electricity exports to the U.S.
With Trump pressuring NATO members to increase military spending, the poll found that:
- 64% support raising Canada’s defence budget to meet the 2% GDP target.
- 12% support increasing it further to 5% GDP.
- 14% prefer maintaining current levels, while 6% favor spending less.
The poll, conducted from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3, 2025, surveyed 1,077 Canadians with a margin of error of ±3 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.