Canadians Remain Sour On America
New polling suggests the Canada–U.S. relationship shows little sign of recovery
As new threats of tariffs against Canadian goods emerge from the U.S. President, recent polling and data suggest that Canadians increasingly want little to do with their southern neighbour. From avoiding American products to skipping travel to the U.S., many Canadians are standing firm in the early days of this presidency.
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Nanos asked Canadians how they currently feel toward Americans, offering a range of emotions from anger to happiness and plenty in between.
The survey found that a plurality of Canadians (34%) say they’re pessimistic about Americans today, with older Canadians (41%) being the most likely to feel this way. Another 24% say they’re angry, while 17% report being simply disinterested.
Meanwhile, positive views of Americans remain in the minority. Only 12% of respondents say they feel optimistic, while just 6% say they’re satisfied. A mere 4% of Canadians say they’re happy with Americans as of the early July survey, underscoring the extent to which Trump’s presidency has affected bilateral sentiment.
In response to American tariffs and annexation threats, many Canadians have chosen to stop buying U.S. products or avoid travelling south of the border.
When asked when they believe these boycotts will end, a plurality (47%) said the boycotts would likely continue until Trump’s presidency concludes. Just over a quarter (28%) believe the boycotts will end before he leaves office in January 2029, with younger Canadians more likely to hold that view (37%).
About 16% believe the boycotts will become permanent, continuing well after Trump leaves office, signalling the potential for long-term strain in Canada–U.S. relations. Unsurprisingly, Canadians aged 55 and older were most likely to feel this way, at 22%.
Travel data supports the notion that Canadians are serious about this boycott. According to Statistics Canada, trips from Canada to the U.S. were down 22% this June compared to the same month last year.
Land travel has taken an even steeper hit, dropping 33% year-over-year.
By contrast, Americans appear less concerned about the growing tension. Land travel from the U.S. to Canada is down, but only by 10% year-over-year. Air travel from the U.S. to Canada has remained virtually unchanged, dipping just 0.7% over the same period.
Canadian sentiment toward the U.S. has cooled sharply under Trump’s presidency, with many choosing to distance themselves economically. Unless there’s a major shift in leadership or policy, this strain may not ease anytime soon.