Canadians Back Government's Decision to End U.S. Trade Talks, Yet Worry About Fallout
A new Angus Reid poll shows most Canadians think ending trade negotiations with the United States was the right move, though many fear economic repercussions.
According to an Angus Reid poll conducted over the weekend, roughly three-quarters of Canadians consider the government's decision to terminate trade talks with the United States the right one, rejecting the offered terms. Only a small minority, 13%, feel Canada should have compromised to secure a deal, and 11% remain undecided. A majority also backs the prospect of dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs, with 62% saying such measures are justified.
Support varies by region, reaching 84-85% in Atlantic Canada and Quebec, but falling to the mid-60s in Alberta and Saskatchewan, where uncertainty is higher. While Conservative voters are split, Liberal, NDP and Bloc supporters overwhelmingly approve. Despite this backing, respondents voice significant worries about personal job security, rising costs of goods and services, and the health of both the national and provincial economies, though most remain optimistic that Canada can endure a prolonged trade dispute.
Why it matters
Public opinion on the trade dispute shapes future policy and economic relations between Canada and the United States.
How this story developed
- Aug 11 Canadian trade minister meets U.S. counterpart again as tariff deadline looms
- Aug 22 Canada said it will roll out retaliatory tariffs on September 8.
- Aug 22 President Donald Trump enacted 50% duties on a wide array of Canadian goods worth about $20 billion, and Prime Minister Mark Carney announced equivalent counter-tariffs starting Sept. 8.
- Aug 22 Canada set September 8 as the effective date for its retaliatory tariffs.
- Aug 23 U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the United States had offered reduced steel, aluminium and automotive duties as part of the stalled negotiations.
- Aug 23 Trump publicly criticized Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on his social‑media platform.
- Aug 23 Alberta premier Danielle Smith called for a return to trade talks.
- Aug 23 Majumdar, the party’s shadow minister for Canada-U.S. relations, said the request does not seek secret negotiating tactics but material already known to Ottawa and Washington. He argued that transparency would enable a national discussion on the next steps. The trade talks ended after Prime Minister Mark Carney said the United States made demands that threatened Canadian sovereignty and key industries, prompting reciprocal tariffs to be announced.
- Aug 23 Negotiators met for a third day in Washington as the Saturday deadline approaches.
- Aug 24 Neel Kashkari warned the tariff dispute could prolong high inflation.
- Aug 24 The United States announced 50% tariffs on about $20 billion of Canadian imports.
- Aug 24 Legal experts argue the U.S. tariffs may violate congressional authority under the rarely used Section 338.
- Aug 24 Canada suspended all ongoing trade negotiations and recalled its negotiating team to Ottawa.
- Aug 24 Trump posted that a half‑percent tariff on Canadian vehicles, components and steel will begin next year.
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