Canada’s opinion of America hits historic low
Canadian’s opinions of America have reached a historic low, new polling has found.
According to a survey by Pew Research Center, only 34 percent of Canadians have a favorable opinion of the U.S. while 64 percent hold an unfavorable view. This is the lowest favorability rating the researchers have tracked since they started collecting this data in 2002.
Why It Matters
Canada and America’s relationship has deteriorated since President Donald Trump took office in January. Trump has repeatedly pushed Canada to join the U.S. and called it the 51st state. The Trump administration has also implemented numerous tariffs on Canada including a 50 percent steel and aluminum levy and a 25 percent autos tariff duty.
Canada has responded with its own tax on technology giants based in the U.S. and other tariffs. Canadian leaders have also rejected Trump’s 51st state taunts and emphasized Canada’s independence.
AP Photo/Cara Anna
What To Know
Pew Research Center polling found that Canadian’s favorability rating of America was down 20 percentage points since 2024. Only in 2020, the final full year of Trump’s first term, has the rating plunged to a similar level—with only 35 percent then seeing the U.S. in a favorable light.
Meanwhile, only 22 percent of Canadians have confidence in Trump’s approach to international affairs. Last year, 52 percent had confidence in former President Joe Biden.
A further 76 percent said Trump was dangerous and 74 percent said they did not have confidence in his ability to handle global economic problems.
The poll also found that 55 percent of Canadians named the U.S. as Canada’s top ally, but 59 percent named it as Canada’s top threat.
What People Are Saying
Upon winning his country’s federal election in April, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said: “As I’ve been warning for months, America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country. These are not idle threats.
“President Trump is trying to break us so America can own us. That will never, ever happen. But we also must recognize the reality that our world has fundamentally changed.”
Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly recently told the BBC that she is taking Trump’s comments on Canada becoming the 51st state “very seriously.”
“This is not a joke anymore,” Joly said. “This is not something we laugh at. This is actually based on the conversations we’ve had—that I’ve had—with many of the Trump administration officials.”
What Happens Next
A 35 percent tariff on Canadian products is set to go into effect August 1. Trump has said that he is prepared to increase the rate again if Canada retaliates with their own levies, or decrease them depending on changing relations between the neighboring countries.
