Canadians Rethink Relationship with U.S. as Trump’s Presidency Shifts Perceptions, Poll Reveals
In just one month, U.S. President Donald Trump has Canadians rethinking their relationship with their southern neighbour, once considered one of the our closest friends and largest trading partners. A recent Leger poll, conducted between February 14th and 17th, reveals a seismic shift in how Canadians view the United States under Trump’s leadership.
Fully 27 per cent of Canadians now consider the U.S. an “enemy country.” This is a shocking first since data on the Canada-US relationship has been recorded. Additionally, 74 per cent of respondents have an unfavourable or highly unfavourable opinion of President Trump, with only 13 per cent expressing approval of the controversial leader.
The poll highlights a stark contrast in perceptions between the two nations. While Canadians are increasingly critical of the U.S. and its president, nearly 60 per cent of Americans still view Canada as a close friend and ally, with a similarly positive opinion of the country itself.
The findings underscore the challenges facing Canada-U.S. relations under the Trump administration, as trust between the two nations appears to be eroding amid threats of tariffs and annexation. For Canadian politicians, however, there is a silver lining: the enduring goodwill of the American public toward Canada may provide a foundation for navigating the complexities of this evolving relationship.
As Canadians coast to coast to coast grapple with this new reality, the poll shows how quickly diplomatic and public perceptions can shift—and difficult it may be to rebuild previously held trust.