Canadians Stand Firm Against US Tariff Threats

Canadians are bracing for another round of tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, and they're not backing down. According to a new survey from the Angus Reid Institute, fewer than one in ten Canadians think their government should cave to US demands to avoid tariffs.

A strong majority (62%) say Canada should respond with its own counter-tariffs, with 34% advocating for matching the US dollar for dollar and 28% preferring a more limited response. Only past Conservative voters are closely split on the issue.

However, confidence in Prime Minister Mark Carney's negotiating team has dropped since spring, with only 43% believing he can deliver a good deal for Canada. The prime minister faces criticism over his handling of trade-adjacent issues, including the cost and revenue-sharing details of the Gordie Howe Bridge.

Meanwhile, Canadians have been buying fewer American products in recent years, with sales of US-made food products falling nearly seven per cent in early 2025. A plurality of Canadians who buy groceries (40%) and alcohol (39%) say they actively check product origin in-store, and most who do check say they put back American products in favour of a Canadian or other non-US alternative.

Despite the US threats, Canadians are committed to standing firm on supply management, with 42% saying Canada should stand firm even if it means US retaliation. The House of Commons passed a bill last year preventing the government from including supply management in trade talks.